FRANCIS' 

PICTURE 


IW-yORR 

AS!t 

Gt'IDE 


SEYMOUR  DURST 


When  you  leave,  please  leave  this  book 

Because  it  has  been  said 
"Sver'thing  comes  t'  him  who  waits 

Except  a  loaned  book." 


Avery  /'.rchitectural  and  Fine  Arts  Library 
GiFT  OF  Seymour  B.  Durst  Old  York  Library 


Digitized  by. 

the  Internet  Archive 

in  2013 

http://archive.org/details/pictureofnewyorkOOcsfr 


THE 


FOR 

THE    CITY  OF 

NEW  YORK; 

OR, 

WHAT   TO   SP:E,   and   HOW   TO   SEE  IT. 


Croion  Reservoir. 


C   S.  FRANCIS  k  CO.,  252  BKOALWAY 


PICTURE  OF  NEl 


1  8fTl^=^ 


WITH  A  SHORT  ACCOUNT  OF 

PLACES  IN  ITS  VICINITY 

DESIGNED  AS  A 

GUIDE  TO  CITIZENS  AND  STRANGERS: 

WITH    NUMEROUS  ENGRAVINGS, 
AND 


NEW-YORK: 

C.  S.  FRANCIS  &  CO.  252  BROADWAY 


2P 

i.i 


EnteheDj  accordinjf  to  act  of  Coagress,  in  the  year  1845,  by 

ROMANS  &  ELLIS, 
the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  United  States,  for  the 
Southern  District  of  New-York. 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE.  I 

Alms  House  Department  xiv.  108  I 
American  Art  Union      -    x.  59 
Bible  Society     -  38 
"       Institute        -     x.  57 
Museum     -       xi.  68 
Apprentices'  Library      -  .'4 
Arsenal       -      -      -      xii.  74 
Arrivals  Ships  &  Passengers    1 20 
Artists        -      -      -      -  113 
Asylum  for  Blind    -      -  47 
"     "  Deaf  and  Dumb  46 
"     «  Orphans       -  43 
"         Colored  People  37 
"     "  Aged  Females  48,79 
"  the  Insane       -  43 
"     "  Colored  Orphans  x. 
"  Magdalen  -      -     48  ; 
Banks      -      -      -      -      114  ! 
Battery       -      -      -      -     83  | 
Benevolent  Institutions  42  ; 

Bible  Societv      -      -      -  33 
Bills  of  Mortality    -      -       117  ,; 
Bowling  Green   -      -  .   -     84  j 
Book  Store      -      -      -     xvi.  j 
Castle  Garden    -       -      -     68  ; 
Chinese  Museum    -      -      xi.  I 
Christ v's  Minstrels      -      -    xi.  ' 
City  Hall         ...  27 
College  of  Phys.  &  Surgeons  56 
Climate  and  Diseases      -      109  , 
College  of  Pharmacy  -      -    57  j 
Columbia  College    -      •        35  | 
Croton  Aqueduct       -      xii.  70  ' 
High  Bridge       -  xii. 
"     Pveservoirs      -      -  xii. 
Churches,  list  of,  thejr  location, 
year  of  erection,  aimensions 
and  pastors  -      -  140,143 
Churches,  (description  of) 
Christ's  Church   -      -  142 


PA.GE. 

Church  of  the  Messiah  -  134 
Carmine  st.  Presbt'n  Churchl36 
Church  of  Holy  Commu'n  139 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  132 
Dutch  Reformed  Church  131 
First  Presbyterian  Church  129 


First  Unitarian  Chuixh  -  133 

French  Church  -      -  124 

First  Baptist  Church  -  127 

Floating  Chapel        -  137 

Grace  Church        -  -  130 

Presbyterian  Church  135 

St.  George's  Church  -  123 

St.  John  s  Church     -  126 

St.  Mark's  Church  -  -  122 

St.  Patrick's  Cathedral  128 

St  Thomas's  Chm-ch  -  136 

St  Paurs  Church      -  12o 

Swamp  Church      -  -  138 

Trinity  Church  -      -  xv.  121 

Cypress  "Hill  Cemetery  -  xv. 

Custom  House      -      -  30 

Description  of  the  City  -  17 

Dispensaries  -      -      -  46 

Distances  in  the  City  -  98 

Daguerrian  Galleries    -  112 

Dusseldorf  Gallery  -  -  x. 
Early  History  of  Xew  York  1 

Eating  Houses  -  -  -  80 
Environs  of  New  York 

Astoria       ...  19 

Bloomingdale  -      -  -  22 

Brooklyn    -      -      -  149 

Coney 'island  .      -  -  20 

Dobbs'  Feriy      -      -  27 

Elizabethport  -      -  -  25 

Elizabethtown   -      -  24 

Flatbush        -      -  -  20 

Flushing    -      -      -  19 


iv 


CONTENTS. 


PAGE. 

Environs  of  New  York 
Fort  Hamilton  -  -  21 
Foi-t  Lee  -  -  -  26 
Harloera  -  -  -  23 
Harsimus  -  22 
Hastings  .  -  -  27 
Hoboken  -  .  -  22 
Jamaica  -  -  -  -  20 
Jersey  City  -  -  22 
King's  Bridge  -  -  26 
Manhattanville  -  -  23 
Newark  -  -  -  23 
New  Brighton  -  -  21 
New  Brunswick  -  -  25 
Passaic  Falls  -  -  25 
Perth  Amboy  •  -  26 
Piermont  -  27 
Rahway  -  -  -  24 
Eockaway  -  •  20 
Spuyten  Duyvel  Creek  -  26 
Staten  Island  -  -  21 
Williamsburg  -  -  19 
Yonkers  -  -  -  26 
Ethnological  Society  -  54 
Expresses  -  -  -  99 
Fen-ies  -  ...  90 
Forts  and  Fortifications  -  77 

Free  Academy  -  -  -  ix 
Gallery  of  Fme  Arts  -  x.  61 
Gas  works               -      xv.  114 

Gymnasium  -      -  114 

Hackney  Coaches  -  •  100 
Harla^m  Rail-road  -  86 
Hudson  (St.  John's)  Square  84 
Historical  Society        -  54 

Hospital     -      ...  42 

"     Quarantine     -  44 

Hall  of  Records         -      -  29 

Halls  of  Justice  -  -  29 
Jersey  Prison  Ships  -  6, 12, 152 
Law  Institute        -      -  f)3 

Literary  Institutions  -      -  50 

Lyceum  ot  Natural  History  52 

Markets     ....  85 

Masonic  Hall         -      -  37 

Medical  Institutions  -  -  55  j 
Mechanics'  Institutions  -      x.  57  1 

Mercantile  Institutions      -  58  i 

Mercantile  Library       -  52  ! 

Meteorological  Tables      -  liO  1 


Merchant's  Exchange  - 
National  Acad,  of  Design 
Ne&cro  Plot  in  1741 
New  City  Hall 
Ni bio's  Garden 
Old  Buildings  - 
Omnibuses 
Packet  Ships 
Park 

Picture  Galleries 
Population 
Post  Office 
Prison  Association 
Public  Baths 
Public  Porters 
Public  Schools 
Public  School  Fund 
Public  Squares 
Rail-road  Depots 
Religious  Institutions 
Rotunda 
Ship  Yards  - 
^society  Library  - 
Steam  Boats 


PAGE. 

32 
X.  60 
7 
ix. 

76 

113,  116 
xiii.69 
91,75 
83 
59 
106 
-  32 
X.  ^  " 


115 
102 
73 
111 
83 
xiii. 
39 
ix.  33 
76 
50 

75,91,103 


tage  Lines  and  departures  95 
Steam  Boats  built  since  18u7  103 
Steam  Ships      -      -      -  xiii. 
Tattersali's     -      -      .  79 
Theatres    -      •      -      -  62 
Astor  Place  Opera      -  xi. 
Broadway      -      -      -  xi. 
Bowery      -  68 
Burton's         -      -      -  xi. 
Chatham    -  68 
Niblo's  -      -      -  67 

Olympic     -      -      -     xi.  66 
Park       -      -      -      -  xi.  63 
Palme's  Opera   -      -  68 
Richmond  Hill      -      -  xi.  68 
Theological  Institutions  54 
Torapkms  Square    -      -  85 
Union  Place   -      .      -  85 
University  of  New  York   -  34 
University  Medical  School  5 
V^auxhall  Gardens     -      -  18 
Walton  House      -      -  156 
Washington's  Retreat       -  9 
Washington  Square      -  8> 
Yellow  Fever  and  Cholera  16 


CONTENTS. 


V 


BROOKLYN. 


PAGE.  PAGE. 

Account  of  the  City       -      149  !  Long  Island  Rail  road  .  160 

Atlantic  Dock      -      -      -  164  '  Lvceum          -         -  161 

Battle  of  Long  Island            U-2   Navy  Yard,  Brooklyn  160 

Brooklyn  (.City  of)          -      149   Orphan  Asylum      -  -  168 

Brooklyn  Female  Academy    168   Private  Schools         -  166 

City  Buildings,  Brooklyn  163  Public  Schools  -  -  167 
Churches  in  Brooklyn            168   Revolutionary  Soldiers' Tomb  15"2 

Fortifications  on  Long  Island  151    Savings' Bank        -  -  162 

Greenwood  Cemetery  xv.  16-2  Union  Ferry  Company  165 
Jersey  Prison  Ship     -          lb'2  1 


LIST     OF  ENGRAVINGS. 

PAGE.  I  PAGE. 

1  View  in  Broadway                 18  Old  Dutch  House  -  117 

(frontispiece.)         19  Trinity  Church  -  121 

2  Packet-ship  off  the  Quar-       I  20  St.  Mark's  Church  122 

antine         -      -         18  21  French  Church  -  124 


3  City-Hall         -      -         27  22  Broorae-st.  Baptist  Church  127 


4  Tombs         -      -      .      29  ;  23  St.  Patrick's  Cathedral  128 

5  Custom-House                 30  |  24  Dutch  Reformed  Church  132 

6  Merchants'  Exchange         32  i  25  First  Unitarian  Church  J33 

7  New-York  Universir;-        34  |  26  Presbyt'n  Ch.  (Dr.  Potts)  135 

8  Asylum  for  the  Blind         47  27  Carraine-st.  Church  136 

9  Asylum  for  Orphans          48  28  St.  Thomas's  Church  136 

10  New -York  Society  Library  50  I  29  Floating  Chapel         -  137 

11  Chnton-Hall      -      -         52 : 30  Swamp  Church      -  138 

12  University  Medical  School  55  i  31  Ch.  of  Holy  Communion  139 

13  Croton  Aqueduct        -      70  ;  32  Navy  Yard,  Brooklyn  160 


14  Penitentiary        -      -     108  |  33  Long  Island  R.  R.  Tunnel  160 

15  Sir  Henry  Clinton's  House  113  34  Monument  at  Greenwood  162 

16  Union  and  National  Banks  1 14  '  35  Unitarian  Ch.,  Brooklyn  168 

17  Walton  House        -  116 


INTRODUCTION. 


In  order  to  give  our  readers  the  latest  and  most 
reliable  information,  we  here  prefix  to  our  Picture 
OF  New  York,  an  account  of  a  few  alterations  and 
improvements  that  have  lately  taken  place,  and  notice 
them  in  the  order  in  which  they  occur  in  the  pages  of 
the  volume. 

The  New  City  Hall,  which  stands  in  the  Park, 
in  the  rear  of  the  City  Hall,  has  lately  been  repaired, 
and  refitted  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Courts,  and 
numerous  oflices  attached  to  them.  It  is  now  occu- 
pied by  the  United  States  Courts  and  Ofliicers ;  the 
Supreme  Court;  the  Superior  Court;  the  Court  of 
Oyer  and  Terminer ;  the  Board  of  Education ;  City 
Inspector  ;  Collector  of  Assessments ;  Commissioner 
of  Emigration;  Coroner;  Corporation  Attorney;  Dis- 
trict Attorney ;  Law  Institute  Library ;  Receiver  of 
Taxes ;  Recorder,  (fee.  &c. 

The  Rotunda. — The  occupation  of  this  building 
has  been  resumed  by  the  City,  and  it  now^  affords 
accommodation  for  the  Crc^on  Water  Department,  the 
Governors  of  the  Alms  House,  and  other  city  offices. 

The  Free  x\cademy,  of  the  City,  near  23d  street, 
in  Lexington  Avenue,  (the  third  Avenue  stages  run 
very  near  it,)  is  built  in  the  Gothic  style,  after  the 
manner  of  the  Town  Halls  of  the  Netherlands.  It 
consists  of  three  spacious  stories,  exclusive  of  the 
basement  and  great  hall.  Its  dimensions  are  125  by 
80  feet,  and  it  is  thought  to  be  sufficiently  large  to 
accommodate  one  thousand  scholars  with  all  necessary 
conveniences.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  about 
$50,000  :  of  the  lot,  200  feet  by  122,  $20,000  :  and 


X 


PICTURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


$10,000  has  been  appropriated  for  the  fitting  up  and 
apparatus. 

Some  changes  have  been  made  in  the  officers  and 
managers  of  the  various  Religious  and  Charitable 
Institutions  of  the  city ;  any  one  desiring  information 
on  these  particulars,  is  referred  to  Doggett's  City 
Directory  for  the  present  year. 

Colored  Orphan  Asylum. — Av.  4,  between  42d 
and  43d  streets. 

Prison  Association. — Office  is  at  15  Centre-street. 

American  Institute. — Rooms,  No.  351  Broadway. 

Mechanics'  Institute. — 105  Bowery. 

The  American  Art  Union, — Now  occupy  their 
new  and  splendid  Galleries,  No.  497  Broadway,  near 
Broome-street.  The  Institution  has  increas/sd  very 
rapidly.  Its  income  for  the  vear  1849  was  over 
$80,000.  The  number  of  its  subscribers  16,475.  It 
distributed  as  prizes,  over  900  works  of  art,  exceeding 
$60,000  m  value. 

The  National  Academy  of  Design, — Now  occupy 
their  new  and  extensive  galleries.  No.  661  Broadway, 
opposite  Bond-street.  Their  exhibition  is  from  April 
to  July  of  each  year.  Daring  the  remainder  of  the 
time  their  rooms  are  used  for  the  exhibition  of  the 
pictures  belonging  to  the  New-York  Gallery  of  the 
Fine  Arts,  and  the  collection  of  paintings  belonging  to 
Mr.  Nye,  called  the  "  Gallery  of  the  Old  Masters." 

The  Dusseldorf  Gallery. — A  collection  of  paint- 
ings and  original  drawings  by  artists  of  the  Dussel- 
dorf Academy  of  the  Fine  Arts.  This  collection, 
belonging  to  a  private  individual,  contains  about  one 
hundred  and  fifty  paintings  and  drawings,  executed  j 
entirely  by  eUves  of  this  celebrated  German  School  i 


INTRODUCTION. 


xi 


of  Art,  and  they  are  all  of  rare  excellence.  The 
visitor  in  New- York  should  not  miss  the  opportunity 
of  seeing  this  most  beaytiful  collection.  The  Gallery 
is  over  the  Hall  of  the  Church  of  the  Divine  Unity, 
546  Broadway,  near  Spring-st.  Admittance,  25  cents  ; 
season,  50  cents.  Subscriptions  are  received  at  the  Gal- 
lery to  the  Art-Union  of  Rhenish  Prussia  and  West- 
phalia, through  whose  means  many  valuable  paintings 
have  already  been  distributed  in  the  United  States. 

The  Park  Theatre, — Has  been  again  destroyed 
by  fire,  and  the  site  converted  into  building  lots  for 
warehouses. 

The  Broadway  Theatre, — Is  now  the  principal 
theatre  in  the  city,  and  genf  rally  has  the  highest  class 
of  theatrical  entertainments.    In  Broadway,  No.  330. 

The  Astor  Place  Opera  House, — Is  in  Eighth- 
street,  near  Broadway.    Italian  Opera. 

Mitchell's  Olympic  Theatre, — Has  recently  un- 
dergone great  alterations,  and  is  now  occupied  by 
Pierce's  Ethiopian  Minstrels,  a  very  popular  band. 

The  Richmond  Hill  Theatre, — Is  no  longer  in 
operation. 

Burton's  Theatre, — Formerly  Palmo's  Opera 
House,  is  a  very  popular  resort  for  those  fond  of  the 
comic  and  burlesque. 

Barnum's  American  Museum, — Has  recently  been 
much  enlarged  and  improved,  and  the  saloon  very 
beautifully  decorated,  and  made  capable  of  seating 
2,000  persons. 

Barnum's  Chinese  Museum, — Is  at  539  Broad- 
way, and  contains  a  very  good  collection  of  Chinese  i 
curiosities.  j 

Christy's  Negro  Minstrels, — Exhibit  with  great  j 
success,  nightly,  at  ^lechanics'  Hall.  Broadway.  j 


xii 


PICTURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


CROTON  AQUEDUCT. 

Persons  wishing  to  see  the  High  Bridge  of  the 
Croton  Aqueduct  can  take  the  Rail  Road  to  Harlem 
(fare  121  cents),  at  which  place  there  are  always 
stages  in  waiting  to  convey  passengers  to  the  bridge 
(fare  18|  cents). 

The  most  convenient  way  of  getting  to  the  Receiving 
Reservoir  in  86th  Street  and  the  Distributing  Reservoir 
40th  Street,  is  by  the  Harlem  Railroad.  Cars  leave 
the  East  side  of  the  Park  every  15  minutes  (fare  12J 
cents).  The  Croton  line  of  Omnibuses  also  now  run 
from  the  Fulton  Ferry  through  Broadway,  11th  St.,  and 
5th  Av.  to  the  Distributing  Reservoir  (fare  65  cents). 

The  New  State  Arsenal  is  situated  on  the  Fifth 
Avenue,  between  62d  and  64th  streets,  four  miles  from 
the  City  Hall ;  is  200  feet  in  front  by  50  feet  deep  ex- 
clusive of  the  towers,  of  which  there  are  eijht,  four 
at  each  angle  69  feet  high,  and  four  in  front ;  rear  82 
feet  high.  The  basement  or  first  story  is  of  brown 
stone,  it  forms  one  large  hall  10  feet  high  and  the 
whole  size  of  the  building,  for  the  deposit  of  heavy 
cannon  and  balls.  The  remainder  of  the  building  is 
of  brick.  The  principal  story  twelve  feet  six  inches 
high,  will  contain  the  small  arms  ;  the  second  story, 
nine  feet  six  inches  in  height,  and  the  upper  story 
sixteen  feet,  munitions,  gun  carriages,  &c.  The  old 
revolutionary  pieces  will  be  deposited  in  a  sub-cellar 
under  one  wing  of  the  building.  The  beams  are  sup^ 
poited  by  cast  iron  columns  and  the  floors  are  of  south- 
thern  pine.  The  roof  is  of  iron,  and  is  surmounted  by 
a  flag-staff  68  feet  hio^h.  It  was  erected  in  1848,  and 
cost  $30,000.  It  is  intended  to  contain  all  the  arms 
and  munitions  belonging  to  the  State,  formerly  depo- 
sited in  the  old  Arsenal  described  on  page  74. 


INTRODUCTION. 


xiii 


OCEAN  STEAM-SHIPS. 

CoUins's  New  Line,  consisting  of  the  Atlantic,  the 
Pacific,  the  Arctic,  the  Baltic,  and  the  Adriatic, 
forming  the  first  regular  line  of  American  Steamers 
between  New  York  and  Liverpool.  The  most  splen- 
did steam-ships  in  the  world.  Their  dock  is  at  the 
foot  of  Canal-street,  N.  R. 

The  Cunard  Line,  for  Liverpool,  have  their  dock  at 
Jersey  City. 

There  are  now  three  lines  of  Steam-ships  for  Cali- 
fornia, via  Chagres  :  Empire  City  Line  Pier,  No.  2, 
N.  R. ;  the  Pacific  Mail  Steam  Co.'s  Line,  from  Pier 
No.  4,  N.  R.;  U.  S.  Mail  Steamers,  foot  of  Warren 
Street,  N.R. 

The  Ocean  St.  Nav.  Co.'s  Steamers,  Washington 
and  Herrmann,  for  Southampton  and  Bremen,  lie  at 
Pier  No.  3,  N.  R. 

U.  S.  Mail  Steamers  for  Charleston  S.  C,  at  Pier 
4,  N.R. 

OMNIBUSES. 

There  are  lines  of  Omnibuses  now  to  every  part  of 
the  City,  and  in  aL  directions.  The  largest  number 
starting  from  South  Ferry,  proceed  up  Broadway  and 
the  Bowery,  and  branching  oiF  into  the  side  streets  at 
various  distances,  indicated  by  the  lettering  upon  each 
stage.  There  are  also  lines  for  each  of  the  other 
Ferries,  and  from  the  foot  of  Canal-street. 

The  number  of  Omnibuses  now  licensed  is  425. 

RAILROAD  DEPOTS. 
Long  Island,  from  the  South  Ferry,  Whitehall 
Street. 

Philadelphia,  foot  of  Liberty  Street,  N.  R.,  Ferry 
to  Jersey  City. 


xiv 


PICTURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


Hudson  River — Chambers  Street,  corner  of  Hud- 
son, West,  corner  of  Canal  ;  14th  Street,  corner  Av. 
10,  and  West  31st  Street. 

New  Jersey  Railroads  from  foot  of  Cortlandt  St. 

New  York  and  Erie — by  Steamboat  to  Piermont, 
foot  of  Duane  Street,  N.  R. 

New  Haven,  Hartford  and  Boston — 29  Canal 
and  412  Broadway. 

ALMS  HOUSE  DEPARTMENT. 

The  buildings  formerly  occupied  by  the  Alms  House 
at  Bellevue,  have  been  removed  to  BlackwelTs  and 
Randall's  Islands,  and  the  site  converted  into  building 
lots. 

The  Alms  House  Department  is  now  under  direc- 
tion of  Ten  Governors,  who  have  in  charge  the  follow- 
ing Institutions :  The  Alms  House,  BlackwelPs  Island, 
Bellevue  Hospital,  26th  Street,  E.  R.  ;  City  Prison, 
Centre  Street  ;  Second  District  Prison,  6th  Av. ; 
Third  District  Prison,  Grand  Street ;  Colored  Home, 
42i  Street  ;  Colored  Orphan  Asylum,  4th  Av.  and42d 
Street  ;  Lunatic  Asylum  117th  Street  ;  Nursery, 
Randall's  Island  ;  Nursery  Hospital ;  Penitentiary  ; 
Blackvvell's  Island  ;  Penitentiary  and  Small-pox  Hos- 
pital; Work-house  and  Store-house,  Randall  s  Island. 

Citizens  or  strangers  wishing  to  visit  and  inspect 
these  institutions  can  do  so  on  any  day,  except  Sun- 
day, by  obtaining  a  permit  at  the  office  of  the  Depart- 
ment, Rotunda,  in  the  Park.  A  steamboat  leaves  the 
foot  of  Grand  Street,  for  the  Islands  at  9  a.m.,  and 
3  P.M.  Visits  to  friends  at  the  A  1ms  House,  Peniten- 
tiary, and  Lunatic  Asylum,  are  to  be  made  on  Wed- 
nesday ;  at  the  Nursery,  Randall's  Island,  on  the  first 
Wednesday  of  each  month  ;  at  the  Bellevue  Hospital 
on  Monday  and  Thursday,  from  11  a.m.,  to  2  p.m. 


INTRODUCTION. 


XV 


Gas  Works. — The  New  York  Gas  Works  have 
been  removed  from  Centre  Street,  to  the  foot  of  21st 
Street,  E.  R.  By  this  Company  the  city  is  lighted 
south  of  Grand  Street. 

The  Manhattan  Gas  Co.  supplies  light  to  the  city 
north  of  Grand  Street.  Their  works  are  at  the  foot 
of  West  18th  Street. 

Trinity  Church  is  open  every  day.  Visitors  have 
access  to  the  tower  and  spire,  whenever  the  Church 
is  not  occupied  for  religious  services  ;  the  panoramic 
view  from  which  is  unsurpassed  on  this  continent. — 
(A  small  fee  is  expected  from  visitors  to  the  tower,  by 
the  person  in  attendance) . 

Greenwood  Cemetery. — The  Ferry  to  Greenwood 
is  from  the  foot  of  Whitehall  Street,  near  the  Battery. 

Carriages  and  Omnibuses  also  run  constantly  from 
the  Brooklyn  side  of  the  Fulton  and  South  Ferries. 

The  Cypress-Hill  Cemetery,  in  the  towns  of 
Flatbush  and  Newtown,  L.  I.,  about  six  miles  from 
the  Brooklyn  and  Williamsburgh  Ferries,  alfords  the 
visitor  a  pleasant  excursion.  There  is  an  Observatory 
on  the  grounds,  from  which  an  extensive  and  beautiful 
panoramic  view  may  be  seen,  taking  in  the  Ocean,  Long 
Island  Sound,  Brooklyn,  Williamsburgh,  New  York 
City,  the  Pallisades  on  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  &c. 
The  L.  I.  Rail  Road  conveys  passengers  from  their 
depot.  South  Ferry,  directly  to  the  gate.  Cais  leave 
at  11  and  5  o'clock  every  day,  returning  at  Ij  and  7i 
P.M.  Fare,  15  cents  each  way.  Stages  also  run  five 
times  a  day  from  the  Fulton  Ferry.  Private  carriages 
are  admitted.    Office  of  the  Co.  262  Broadway. 


xvi 


PICTURE  OF  NEW  YORK. 


BOOKSTORE  OF 

C.  S.  FRANCIS  &  CO. 

BOOKSELLERS,    PUBLISHERS,    AND  IMPORTERS, 
252  BROADWAY. 

Strangers,  as  well  as  Citizens,  will  find  this  a  pleasant  place  of 
resort  at  all  times  of  day  and  evening. 

The  Bookstore  is  supplied  with  all  the  publications  of  the  day, 
as  well  as  a  large  stock  of  Standard  Books,  English  'and  American. 
Individuals  or  Libraries  supplied  with  every  book  in  the  market. 

C.  S.  F.  &  Co.  are  agents  for  the  principal  Reviews  and  Magazines 
published  in  the  United  States,  and  they  import  all  the  British 
periodicals,  of  which  a  list  may  be  had  on  application.  They  also 
have  an  A'^^ency  in  London,  and  import  books,  by  every  steamer. 
Oi  ders  sent  out  weekly  and  filled  with  expedition  and  cheapness. 

Their  CIRCULATING  LIBRARY  is  the  largest  in  the  city,  and 
is  constantly  increasing,  by  the  addition  of  all  new  publications,  and 
a  large  number  of  periodicals  regularly  received.  Books  are  loaned 
by  the  single  volume,  or  by  the  month,  quarter,  or  year. 

C.  S.  F.  &  Co.  are  the  publishers  of  The  Life  and  Writings  of 
SIR  WALTER  SCOTT,  consisting  of  his  Life,  by  Lockhart,  in 
4  vols. ;  his  Poems,  iA  6  vols.;  and  the  Waverley  Novels  and 
Tales,  27  vols.  The  Poetical  Works  of  Wordsworth,  Cole- 
ridge, Mrs.  Hemans,  Mrs.  Norton,  iMrs.  Browning  ;  the  Writings 
of  Maria  Child,  and  many  other  valuable  books. 

They  keep  a  very  extensive  assortment  of  Books  for  Young 
People,  and  are  constantly  receiving  new  books  in  this  department, 
both  English  and  American.  They  publish  the  works  of  Maria 
Edgeworth,  Hans  Christian  Anderson,  Mary  Howitt,  Maria  Child, 
Charles  and  Mary  Lamb,  Mrs,  Oilman,  Mrs.  Hofland,  and  other 
approved  writers  for  Children. 

Stationery  of  all  kinds  for  sale. 


EARLI  HISTORY  OP  NEW-YORK  CITY. 


It  was  formerly  the  custom  of  the  Atlantic  tribes  of 
North  American  Indians  to  resort  to  the  sea  coast  during 
the  summer  months,  where  they  spent  their  time  in  the 
peaceful  employments  of  hunting  and  fishing  i  leaving  the 
sterner  occupations  of  war  for  the  secret  ambushes  of  the 
interior  forests.  They  generally  selected  for  their  summer 
residences  some  place  easy  of  access,  and  immediately 
contiguous  to  their  sporting  grounds.  The  island  of  New- 
York,  or  as  it  was  called  by  the  natives,  Manhattan,  was 
a  favourite  resort  of  the  Hudson  river  tribes.  Abundant 
evidence  of  this  fact  is  found  in  the  history  of  its  first  dis- 
covery, and  the  indestructible  relics  that  every  where 
abound,  buried  in  the  ground.  Excavations  in  the  primitive 
soil  often  expose  large  quantities  of  shells,  the  remnants 
of  their  "  clam  bakes;"  and  various  specimens  of  arrow- 
heads, stone. axes  and  chisels,  are  found  in  the  upper  parts 
of  the  island* 

From  their  temporary  Tillages  they  went  forth  in  search 
of  game,  and  long  before  the  white  man  came,  the  expan* 
sive  bay  that  now  fleets  the  sails  of  an  hundred  nations, 
was  dotted  by  the  humble  'canoes  of  a  race,  whose  very 
name  has  long  been  lost  to  history.  The  ground  that 
now  sustains  half  a  million  of  inhabitants,  then  hid  in  its 
forest  shades  the  dusky  forn..?  of  a  lew  hundred  wild  men  ; 
and  the  waters  that  are  now  but  the  threshold  of  the 
commerce  of  the  world,  were  then  timidly  navigated  by  the 
birchen  canoe  of  a  race  who  never  ventured  beyond  the 
protection  of  its  inland  hounds.  On  the  2d  of  September, 
1609,  a  beautiful  autumn  day,  the  adventurous  bark  of 
Henry  Hudson  made  its  appearance  in  the  lower  harbour. 
The  Indians,  whose  fis-hing  canoes  were  scattered  about  in 
every  direction,  attacked  one  of  his  boats  which  was  sent 
out  to  fish,  and  killed  its  commander.    They  buried  him 


1 


2 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


on  an  island,  which  was  named  after  him,  Colman^s  Island, 
now  degenerated  into  Coney  Island. 

After  this,  these  Indians  became  more  friendly,  and 
came  on  board,  where  they  exchanged  tobacco  and  In- 
dian corn  for  trinkets.  Hudson  passed  up  with  his  vessel, 
(the  Half  Moon,)  as  far  as  the  present  site  of  Albany,  and 
then  returned  to  Manhattan  ;  and  after  sometimes  trading 
with  the  natives,  and  sometimes  killing  them,  he  went 
back  to  Europe  again.  His  mutinous  men  forced  him  to 
go  to  England  instead  of  Holland,  from  whence  he  came. 
The  British  government,  which  had  formerly  driven  him 
from  their  service,  now  detained  him,  and  in  a  subsequent 
voyage  to  North  America,  he  was  set  adrift  by  his  crew  in 
an  open  boat,  with  his  young  son  and  seven  others,  with- 
out compass  or  food,  and  never  heard  of  after.  This  was 
brought  about  through  the  treacherous  agency  of  one  of 
his  men,  whom  he  had  formerly  befriended,  under  circum- 
stfmces  that  claimed  lasting  gratitude.  Hudson  was  a  bold 
and  skilful  navigator,  and  had  formerly  distinguished  him- 
self in  his  attempts  to  discover  a  North  West  passage  to 
the  East  Indies. 

The  Dutch,  finding  that  they  could  get  furs  of  the  North 
American  Indians,  sent  out  another  ship  to  New- York,  to 
trade  with  them  ;  and  in  1614,  the  Dutch  government  en- 
couraged a  company  of  merchants,  and  licensed  them  as 
the  "  West  India  Company.'*  Soon  after  this  the  company 
sent  out  two  ships,  one  of  which  was  accidentally  burned, 
but  was  replaced  by  another,  which  was  built  by  her 
commander  on  the  East  river.  After  sailing  along  the 
coast  to  Martha's  Vineyard,  they  returned  to  the  Hud- 
son river,  and  proceeded  up  to  Castle  Island,  near  Al- 
bany, where  they  commenced  a  settlement.  For  many 
years  after  this  first  settlement,  Albany  was  the  remotest 
point  of  interior  civilization.  In  1615,  a  fort  was  built  on 
Manhattan  Island  ;  a  few  huts  were  soon  added,  to  accom- 
modate the  settlers  who  traded  with  the  Indians.  This 
fort  was  just  in  the  rear  of  the  present  site  of  Trinity 
Church,  on  the  immediate  bank  of  the  river — the  tide 
then  came  up  to  where  the  western  wall  of  the  churchyard 


EARLY  HISTORY.  3 


now  Stands.  In  1751,  some  workmen  digging  in  the  bank, 
back  of  the  church,  discovered  a  stone  wall,  which  occa- 
sioned great  wonder  at  first,  but  was  soon  ascertained  to 
be  the  remnants  of  the  long  forgotten  fort.  In  1621,  the 
Dutch  government  gave  the  New  Netherlands  to  their 
West  India  Company.  The  territory  so  denominated  ex- 
tended  from  Delaware  river  to  Cape  Cod.  In  1623,  they 
built  a  new  fort,  which  stood  on  the  ground  now  occupied 
by  the  Bowling  Green,  then  a  high  mound  of  earth,  over- 
looking an  extensive  ledge  of  rocks,  the  site  of  the  pre- 
sent  Battery. 

There  is  every  indication  to  evince  the  fact,  that  New- 
York  was  in  primitive  days  the  **  city  of  hills" — such  ver- 
dant hills,  of  successive  undulation,  as  the  general  state  of 
the  whole  country  part  of  the  island  now  presents.  "  The 
hills  were  sometimes  precipitous,  as  from  Beekman's  and 
Peck's  Hills,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Pearl,  Beekman 
and  Ferry  streets,  and  from  the  Middle  Dutch  Church, 
in  Nassau-street,  down  to  Maiden  lane  ;  and  sometimes 
gradually  sloping,  as  on  either  hills  along  the  line  of  the 
water,  coursing  along  the  region  of  Maiden  lane.  Be- 
tween many  of  the  hills  flowed  in  several  invasions  of 
water :  such  as  the  canal,'"  so  called  to  gratify  Dutch 
recollections,  which  was  an  inroad  of  river  water  up  Broad- 
street.  Up  Maiden  lane  flowed  another  inroad.  A  little 
beyond  Peck's  Slip  existed  a  low  water-course,  which  in 
high  water  ran  quite  up  in  union  with  the  Collect,  (Kolck,) 
and  thence  joining  with  Lispenard's  swamp  on  North  river 
side,  produced  a  union  of  \.  aters  quite  across  the  former 
city  ;  thus  converting  it  occasionally  into  an  island,  which 
is  shown  by  the  present  lowness  of  the  line  of  Pearl-strcct 
as  it  traverses  Chatham-street.  Boats  were  used  occasion- 
ally to  carry  the  foot  passengers  from  either  side  of  the 
high  rising  ground  ranging  on  both  sides  of  Pearl, 
street." 

Part  of  the  people  who  came  out  in  the  Tea  Company's 
ships  settled,  in  1625,  on  an  island,  at  what  is  now  called 
the  Wallabout,  a  word  importing  the  waloon  bend.  About 
this  time  we  find  in  the  public  records,  that  "  Paulus  Hook 


4  PICTURE  OF  NE W.YORK. 


was  sold  by  Gov.  Keift  to  Abrabam  Isaacs  Plank,  for  450 
guilders.  For  scandalizing  the  governor,  one  Hendrick 
Janeson,  in  1638,  was  sentenced  to  stand  at  the  fort  door, 
at  the  ringing  of  the  bell,  and  ask  the  governor's  pardon. 

On  the  6th  of  August,  1638,  two  persons  were  appoint- 
ed to  inspect  "tobacco  cultivated  here  for  exportation 
and  on  the  J  9th  of  the  same  month  it  was  ordered,  that  in 
consideration  of  "  the  high  character  it  had  obtained  in 
foreign  countries,"  any  adulteration  should  be  punished 
with  a  heavy  penalty.  In  1641,  a  cattle  fair  was  estab- 
lished,  to  be  held  annually  on  the  15th  of  October. 

The  lands  on  *'  York  Island,"  without  the  bounds  of  the 
town  w^alls,  along  Wall-street,  were  either  used  for  public 
grazing  grounds  for  the  town  cows,  sheep  or  swine,  or  else 
for  the  governor's  farms,  under  the  names  of  Bouwerys. 
The  Bouwery  or  farm  sold  to  Governor  Stuyvesant  in  1631, 
now  so  valuable  as  building  lots  in  ihe  hands  of  his  de- 
scendants, was  originally  purchased  by  him  for  6,400  guil- 
ders (oCl,066  ;)  and  having  besides  the  land,  "  a  dwelling- 
house,  barn,  reek-lands,  six  cows,  two  horses  and  two 
young  negroes." 

On  another  farm  the  company  erected  a  wint  molen 
(wind-mill)  for  the  use  of  the  town.  Its  site  was  near  the 
*'  Broadway,"  between  the  present  Liberty  and  Courtlandt 
streets.  The  first  having  decayed,  it  w^as  ordered,  in  1662, 
that  there  be  another  on  the  same  ground  "  outside  of  the 
city  land-port  (gate)  on  the  company's  farm." 

In  1663,  all  the  carmen  of  the  city,  to  the  number  of 
twenty,  ordered  to  be  enrolled,  and  to  draw  for  6ri  an  or- 
dinary load,  and  to  remove  weekly  from  the  city  the  dirt 
of  the  streets  at  3cZ.  a  load. 

In  1675,  the  rates  of  tavern  fare  w^ere  thus  ordered  :  For 
lodging  3t^.  ;  for  meals  Sd. ;  brandy  per  gill  6d. ;  and  cider 
per  quart  4d.  In  1676,  all  the  inhabitants  living  in  the 
street  called  the  Here  Graft,  (now  Broad-street,)  were  re- 
quired "  t'  fill  up  the  graft,  ditch  or  common  shore,  and  level 
the  same."  In  this  same  year  is  given  the  names  of  all  the 


EARLY  HISTORY.  5 


then  property  holders,  amounting  to  only  300  names,  and 
'*  assessed  at  1^  dollars  a  pound,  on  .£99,695." 

Luke  Lancton,  in  1683,  was  made  *'  collector  of  cus- 
toms at  the  custom  house  near  the  bridge,  and  none  shall 
unload  but  at  the  bridge."  The  house  called  *'  Stuy. 
vesant  Huys,"  at  the  northwest  corner  of  present  Front 
and  Moore  streets,  was  then  called  the    custom  house." 

In  1683,  it  was  ordered  that"  no  youthes,maydes  or  other 
persons  may  meete  together  on  the  Lord's  day,  for  sport  or 
play,  under  fine  of  Is."  "No  more  than  four  Indian  or 
negro  slaves  may  assemble  together."  In  1683,  the  ves- 
sels and  boats  of  the  port  were  enrolled  as  follows  : — 3 
barques,  3  brigantines,  26  sloops  and  46  open  boats.  The 
old  Dutch  records  show  that  all  the  rear  of  the  town  was 
divided  into  farms  called  "  Bouwerys,"  from  whence  we 
have  Bowery  now.  In  1687,  si  teen  acres  of  the  Basse  Bow- 
ery was  granted  to  Arien  Cornelisson,  for  the  considera- 
tion of  one  fat  capon  a  year.  In  1695,  the  celebrated 
Capt.  Kidd  came  to  New-York  to  see  his  wife.  He 
soon  after  this  commenced  his  piracies,  and  continued 
them  till  1699,  when  he  visited  Long  Island  sound,  and 
made  several  deposits  of  money  on  the  shores.  One  of 
these  deposits  was  discovered  a  few  years  since  by  some 
labourers,  while  digging  on  the  shores  of  the  East  river. 
Kidd  was  decoyed  to  Boston,  where  he  was  arrested,  sent 
to  England,  and  hun^  in  1701. 

In  1698,  the  Council  agreed  to  build  the  "  new  City- 
Hall,"  by  the  head  of  Broad-street,  for  £3^000  ;  the  same 
afterwards  the  Congress  Hall,  on  the  corner  of  Wall- 
street. 

In  1699,  they  sold  the  old  City-Hall  to  John  Rodman 
for  .£920,  reserving  only  "  the  bell,  the  king's  arms,  and 
iron  works,  (fetters,  &c.,)  belonging  to  the  prison,"  and 
granting  leave  also  to  allow  the  "  cage,  pillory  and  stocks 
before  the  same^  to  be  removed  within  one  year ;  and  the 
prisoners  in  said  jail  \vithin  the  said  City  Hall,  to  remain 
one  month." 

**  The  Indians,  in  the  year  1746,  came  to  the  city  of 
New-York  in  a  body,  say  several  hundreds,  to  hold  a 


1* 


6 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


conference  or  treaty  with  the  governor.  They  were 
Oneidas  and  Mohawks  ;  coming  from  Albany,  crowding 
the  North  river  with  their  canoes;  bringing  with  them 
their  squaws  and  papouses  ;  tbey  encamped  on  the  site 
now  Hudson's  Square,  before  St.  John's  church,  then  a 
low  sand  beach." 

In  1756,  the  first  stage  started  between  Philadelphia 
and  New-York,  three  days  through. 

In  1765,  a  second  stage,  announced  to  travel  between 
New-York  and  Philadelphia,  to  go  through  in  three  days, 
being  a  covered  Jersey  wagon,  at  2d.  a  mile. 

In  1766,  another  stage,  called  "  the  Flying  Machine,"  to 
go  through  in  two  days,  in  good  wagons,  and  seats  on 
springs,"  at  3c?.  a  mile,  or  20«.  through. 

These  extracts  are  principally  drawn  from  Watson's 
Annals  oi"  New-York.  The  public  records,  always  acces- 
sible at  the  City  Record  office,  are  very  numerous,  and 
will  well  reward  the  curious  for  their  perusal. 

The  Middle  Dutch  Church,  Nassau-street,  was  ised  as  a 
"  prison  for  3,000  Americans."  The  pews  were  taken 
out  and  used  for  fuel.  Afterwards  the  church  was  used 
as  a  riding  school  by  the  British  cavalry.  The  North 
Dutch  Church,  in  William-street,  was  also  used  as  a  prison- 
house,  and  at  one  time  held  2,000  prisoners  ;  all  the  Pres. 
byterian  churches  were  used  for  military  purposes,  but 
the  Methodists'  houses  were  spared  on  account  of  their 
adherence  to  Wesley,  who  was  known  to  be  a  loyalist. 

It  is  estimated  that  11,000  Americans  were  interred 
from  the  British  prisons  at  the  Wallabout,  near  the 
present  Navy  Yard.  In  cutting  down  the  hill  for  the 
Navy  Yard,  there  were  taken  up  as  many  as  thirteen  large 
boxes  of  human  bones  :  which,  being  borne  on  trucks 
under  mourning  palls,  were  carried  in  procession  to  Jack- 
son-street, on  Brooklyn  height,  and  interred  in  a  charnel 
house  constructed  for  the  occasion  beneath  three  droop- 
ing willows. 

Two  rf  the  burnt  hulks  of  the  prison  ships  still  remain 
sunken  near  the  Navy  Yard  ;  one  in  the  dock,  and  one, 
the  Good  Hope,  near  Finder's  Island. 


EARLY  HISTORY. 


7 


In  1785-6,  Alderman  William  Bayard  sold  his  farm  of 
fifty  acres,  situated  on  the  west  side  of  Broadway,  where  St. 
Paul's  Church  now  stands.  He  divided  it  into  lots  of 
twenty-five  by  one  hundred  feet,  and  sold  ihem  at  twenty- 
five  dollars  each. 

The  old  fort  at  the  Bowling  Green  was  taken  down  in 
1768,  and  the  grounds  around  levelled,  to  the  extent  of  the 
present  Battery.  It  was  then  designed  to  build  a  house  there 
for  Gen.  Washington,  but  the  plan  was  defeated  by  the  re- 
moval of  Congress  to  Philadelphia.  The  house  was  after- 
wards built  and  occupied  by  the  English  Gov.,  Clinton,  and 
still  remains  under  the  name  of  the  ClintonHouse.  The  great 
fires  which  occurred  in  1776  and  1 778,  are  still  remembered 
with  lively  interest.  They  occurred  v.hile  the  British  held 
possession  of  the  city.  The  fire  in  1776  commenced  in 
Whitehall  slip,  late  at  night,  and  consumed  all  the  build- 
iners  west  of  Broadway  and  south  of  Barclay-street.  Trinity 
Church  was  burnt  at  this  time  ;  four  hundred  and  ninety- 
three  houses  were  destroyed.  The  fire  in  1778  occurred 
on  Cruger's  wharf,  and  burnt  about  fifty  houses.  The 
buildings  destroyed  on  both  of  these  occasions  were  of 
an  inferior  order,  and  built  of  wood. 

The  celebrated  Negro  Plot,  in  1741,  occuiTed  when 
there  were  about  ten  thousand  inhabitants  in  the  city,  of 
which  one  sixth  part  were  negro  slaves.  After  the  lapse 
of  a  century,  we  look  back  with  astonishment  on  the  panic 
occasioned  by  these  conspiracies,  and  the  rancorous  hatred 
that  prevailed  against  the  iloman  Catholics.  There  was 
doubtless  a  plot ;  but  its  extent  could  never  have  been  so 
great  as  ihe  terror  of  the  times  depicted.  The  only  testi- 
mony taken  was  the  mutual  criminations  and  confessions 
of  the  abettors  :  and  by  this  means  every  negro  in  the 
city,  and  some  of  the  white  inhabitants,  became  objects  of 
suspicion.  The  first  suspicion  of  a  plot  was  caused  by 
frequent  alarms  of  fire,  and  robberies  committed  on  the 
premises  of  one  of  the  citizens.  The  first  fire  destroyed 
the  Governor's  house  and  the  old  church,  both  of  which 
were  within  the  walls  of  the  fort.  A  few  days  after  this, 
another  fire  occurred  under  very  mysterious  circumstances, 


8 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YOKK. 


and  subsequently,  in  the  space  of  three  weeks,  eight  more 
fires  served  to  spread  great  consternation  among  the  peo- 
ple. Many  negroes  were  executed,  and  the  investigations 
were  long  and  intricate. 

While  the  trials  were  going  on,  and  the  execution  of 
several  negroes  taking  place,  proclamations  were  made 
offering  pardons  to  the  free  who  should  make  discovery  of 
the  plot,  or  accuse  others  ;  and  pardon  and  liberty  to  the 
slaves  who  should  do  the  same  ;  and  rewards  in  money  to 
both.  The  consequence  was,  that  the  negroes  who  were 
in  jail,  accused  themselves  and  others,  hoping  to  save  their 
own  lives  and  obtain  the  promised  boons.  What  one  poor 
wretch  invented,  was  heard  and  repeated  by  another  ; 
and  by  degrees  the  story  assumed  the  shape  of  a  regular 
plot.  In  [he  course  of  the  evidence  it  appears  that  the 
city  was  destined  to  be  fired,  and  the  inhabitants  massa- 
cred, on  coming  out  of  the  English  Church  in  Broadway. 
St.  Patrick's  night  was  selected  for  the  catastrophe,  and 
many  Irish  Catholics  lately  arrived  enlisted  in  the  gang  of 
murderers.  The  negroes  were  led  by  one  Kughson,  at 
whose  house  they  were  entertained,  and  where  they  brought 
their  stolen  goods.  An  unfortunate  man,  named  Ury,  an 
English  clergyman,  who  had  been  teaching  school  in  the 
city,  was  tried  and  condemned  on  the  most  trivial  testi- 
mony. He  was  hung  amid  the  greatest  excitement.  There 
were  thirteen  blacks  burned  alive  at  the  stake,  at  a  place 
then  out  of  town,  but  situated  near  the  present  intersec- 
tion of  Pearl  and  Chatham  streets,  where  there  was  form, 
erly  a  hollow  place.  Twenty  were  hung  "  on  the  island 
by  the  powder-house,"  where  the  Arsenal  now  is  in  Elm- 
street.  Seventy  were  transported  to  foreign  parts  ;  Hugh- 
son,  his  wife,  and  Peggy  Carey,  a  noted  informer,  were 
hung.  Several  of  the  negroes  declared  that  they  had 
accused  themselves  and  others  because  they  had  been  told 
that  was  the  only  way  to  save  their  lives. 


Washington's  ketreat. 


WASHINGTON'S  RETREAT  FROM  NEW-YORK. 

After  taking  possession  of  Long  Island  in  177G,  Gene- 
ral Howe  began  to  unfold  his  plan  of  attacking  New-York 
city,  then  in  possession  of  the  Americans.  He  intended 
to  encompass  the  city  on  the  land  side,  and  to  refrain 
from  cannonade  and  bombardment,  by  which  the  city 
might  be  injured  and  rendered  unfit  for  the  accommoda- 
lion  of  his  troops  during  the  winter.  Such  being  clearly 
the  aim  of  the  British  commander,  the  attention  of  Wash- 
ington was  drawn  to  the  best  mode  of  evacuating  the  city. 
As  a  preparatory  step,  he  removed  beyond  King's  bridge 
the  stores  and  baggage  least  wanted.  It  was  seriously 
contemplated  in  a  council  of  officers  at  the  time  to  destroy 
the  city,  but  Washington's  objections  overruled  the  opin- 
ion of  his  counsellors.  It  was  resolved  so  to  dispose  the 
troops,  as  to  be  prepared  to  resist  any  attack  on  tlie  upper 
part  of  the  island,  and  retreat  with  the  remainder  when- 
ever it  should  become  necessary.  Nine  thousand  men 
were  to  be  stationed  at  Mount  Washington,  King's  bridge, 
and  the  smaller  posti;  in  the  vicinity  of  these  places,  five 
thousand  in  the  city,  and  the  residue  to  occupy  the  inter- 
mediate space,  ready  to  support  either  of  these  divisions. 
The  sick,  amounting  to  one  quarter  of  the  whole  army, 
were  to  be  removed  to  the  Jersey  side  of  the  Hudson. 
While  these  arrangements  were  in  progress,  the  enemy  sent 
four  ships  up  the  East  river,  which  came  to  anchor  about 
a  mile  above  the  city.  The  next  day  six  others  followed. 
Parties  of  British  troops  landed  on  Buchnan's  Island,  and 
a  cannonade  was  opened  upon  a  battery  at  Haven's  Hook. 
On  the  15th  of  September,  in  the  morning,  three  men-of- 
war  ascended  Hudson's  river  as  high  as  Bloomingdale, 
with  the  view  of  dividing  the  attention  of  the  Americans, 
by  making  a  feint  on  that  side.  At  the  same  time,  Howe 
embarked  a  strong  division  of  his  army,  under  Gen.  Clin- 
ton, consisting  of  British  and  Hessians,  at  the  head  of  New- 
town Bay  on  Long  Island.  About  eleven  o'clock,  these 
troops  having  come  into  the  East  river,  began  to  land  at 


10  PICTURE  OF  NEW- YORK. 


Kip's  Bay,  under  the  fire  of  two  forty  gun  ships  and  three 
frigates.  Batteries  had  been  erected  there  ;  but  the  men 
were  driven  from  them  by  the  firing  from  the  ships.  Gen. 
Washington  was  now  at  Harlaem,  whither  he  had  gone  the 
night  before  on  account  of  the  movements  of  the  enemy 
at  Montressor's  Island  ;  and,  hearing  the  sound  of  the 
guns,  he  hastened  with  all  despatch  to  the  place  of  land- 
ing. To  his  inexpressible  chagrin  he  found  the  troops  that 
had  been  posted  on  the  lines,  precipitately  retreating  with- 
out firing  a  shot,  although  not  more  than  sixty  or  seventy 
of  the  enemy  were  in  sight ;  and  also  two  brigades,  which 
had  been  ordered  to  their  support,  flying  in  the  greatest 
confusion,  it  spite  of  their  officers.  It  is  said,  that  no  in- 
cident of  the  war  caused  Washington  to  be  so  much  ex- 
cited as  he  appeared  on  this  occasion.  His  exertions 
to  restrain  the  troops  were  fruitless.  The  troops,  eight 
regiments  in  all,  fled  to  the  main  body  on  Harlsem  plains. 
The  division  in  New- York,  under  the  command  of  Gen. 
Putnam,  retreated  with  difficulty,  and  with  considerable 
loss.  Fifteen  men  were  killed,  and  three  hundred  taken 
prisoners.  Nearly  all  the  heavy  cannon,  and  a  consider- 
able quantity  of  baggage,  stores  and  provisions  were  left 
behind.  The  Americans  were  not  pursued  with  much 
rigour  in  their  retreat.  Washington  drew  all  his  forces 
together  within  the  lines  on  the  heights  of  Harlaem,  where 
they  encamped  the  same  night.  Head  quarters  were  fixed 
at  Morris's  house,  a  mile  and  a  half  south  from  Mount 
Washington,  on  which  was  situated  the  fort  of  that  name. 
Howe  encamped  with  his  army  near  the  American  lines, 
his  right  resting  on  the  East  river,  and  his  left  on  the 
Hudson,  supported  at  each  extreme  by  the  ships  in  these 
rivers.  The  next  morning.  Col.  Knowlton  went  out  with  a 
party  of  rangers,  and  advanced  through  the  woods  towards 
the  enemy's  lines.  When  he  was  discovered.  Gen.  Howe 
detached  two  battalions  of  light  infantry  and  a  regiment  of 
Highlanders  to  meet  and  drive  him  back.  On  the  appearance 
of  these  troops  in  the  open  grounds  between  the  two  camps, 
Washington  rode  to  the  outposts,  that  he  might  be  at  hand 
to  make  such  arrangements  as  circumstances  shouldrequire. 


washixgto:n's  retreat. 


11 


He  had  hardly  reached  the  lines  when  he  heard  a  firing, 
which  proceeded  from  an  encounter  between  Col.  Knowl- 
ton  and  one  of  the  British  parties.  The  rangers  returned 
and  said  that  the  body  of  the  enemy,  as  they  thought, 
amounted  to  three  hundred  men.  Knowlton  was  imme- 
diately reinforced  by  three  companies,  and  ordered  to  gain 
their  rear,  while  their  attention  w^as  diverted  by  making  a 
disposition  to  attack  them  in  front.  The  plan  was  suc- 
cessful. As  the  party  approached  in  front,  the  enemy 
rushed  down  the  hill,  to  take  advantage  of  a  fence  and 
bushes,  and  commenced  firing,  but  at  too  great  a  distance 
to  be  effectual.  Meantime  Knowlton  attacked  on  the 
other  side,  and  advanced  with  spirit.  A  sharp  conflict 
ensued.  Maj.  Leitch,  who  led  the  attack,  was  carried  oflf 
mortally  wounded,  and  in  a  short  time  Col.  Knowlton  fell. 
The  action  w^as  resolutely  kept  up  by  the  remaining  offi- 
cers and  men  till  detachments  arrived  to  their  support, 
and  they  charged  the  enemy  with  such  firmness  and  intre- 
pidity as  to  drive  them  from  the  wood  to  the  plain,  when 
Gen.  Washington  ordered  a  retreat,  apprehending  that  a 
large  force  was  on  their  way  from  the  enemy's  camp.  The 
engagement  continu  ;d  four  hours,  although  the  sharp 
fighting  was  of  short  duration.  Howe  reported  eight  offi- 
cers and  seventy  privates  wounded,  and  fourteen  men 
killed.  The  American  loss  was  fifteen  killed  and  forty- 
five  wounded.  The  events  of  this  day  were  important  in 
giving  spirit  to  the  army.  For  more  than  three  weeks 
Howe's  army  remained  inactive,  the  American  posts  being 
too  formidable  to  attack.  On  the  28th  October  the  Brit- 
ish army  attacked  the  American  lines,  and  after  a  sharp 
action  drove  them  from  their  w^orks,  with  a  loss  of  twenty- 
five  men.  Gen.  Howe  subsequently  withdrew  his  army 
to  King's  Bridge,  and  on  the  morning  of  November  16th 
attacked  Fort  Washington,  after  Col.  Magow,  its  com- 
mander, had  refused  a  summons  to  surrender.  Gen. 
I  Knyphausen  advanced  with  a  body  of  Hessians  to  the 
I  north  of  the  fort,  and  commenced  the  attack.  Earl 
Percy,  nearly  at  the  same  time,  assailed  the  outer  lines  on 
the  south.    The  lines,  in  every  part,  were  defended  with 


12 


PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


great  resolution  and  obstinacy  ;  but  after  a  resistance  of 
four  hours  the  men  were  driven  into  the  fort,  and  its  com- 
mander compelled  to  surrender.  The  Americans  lost 
fifty  killed  and  two  thousand  eight  hundred  prisoners. 
This  was  a  severe  loss.  The  fort  was  defended  contrary 
to  the  wishes  of  Washington.  Washington  soon  after  this 
abandoned  the  fludson  river,  and  retreated  through  New- 
Jersey  to  the  Delaware  river. 


THE  OLD  JERSEY  PRISON  SHIP. 

This  was  an  old  sixty-four  gun  ship,  which  through  age 
had  become  unfit  for  further  active  service.  She  was 
stripped  of  every  spar,  and  all  her  rigging.  After  a  battle 
with  the  French  fleet,  her  lion  figure-head  was  laKsn  away 
to  repair  another  ship  j  no  appearance  of  ornament  was 
left,  and  nothing  remained  but  an  old,  unsightly,  rotten 
hulk.  Her  dark  and  filthy  external  appearance  perfectly 
corresponded  with  the  death  and  despair  that  reigned 
within,  and  nothing  could  be  more  foreign  from  truth  than 
to  paint  her  with  colours  flying,  or  any  circumstance  or  ap- 
pendage to  please  the  eye.  She  was  moored  about  three 
quarters  of  a  mile  to  the  eastward  of  Brooklyn  ferry,  near 
a  tide-milly  on  the  Long  Island  shore.  The  nearest  dis- 
tance to  land  was  about  twenty  rods.  And  doubtless  no 
other  ship  in  the  British  navy  ever  proved  the  means  of 
the  destruction  of  so  many  human  beings.  It  is  computed 
that  not  less  than  eleven  thousand  American  seamen 
perished  in  her. 

We  extract  from  a  book  published  by  Mr.  Andros,  an 
aged  clergyman,  an  account  of  his  sufferings  on  board  of 
this  ship  : 

"  On  the  commencement  of  the  first  evening  we  were 
driven  down  to  darkness  between  decks,  secured  by  iron 
gratings  and  an  armed  soldiery;  and  now  a  scene  of  hor- 
ror, "which  baffles  all  description,  presented  itself  On 
every  side  wretched,  desponding  shapes  of  men  could  be 


JERSEY  PRISON  SHIP. 


13 


seen.  Around  the  well-room  an  armed  guard  were  forcing 
up  the  prisoners  to  the  winches,  to  clear  the  ship  of  water 
and  prevent  her  sinking,  and  little  else  could  be  heard  but 
a  roar  of  mutual  execrations,  reproaches  and  insults. 

**  All  the  most  deadly  diseases  were  pressed  into  the 
service  of  the  king  of  terrors,  but  his  prime  ministers  were 
dysentery,  small  pox  and  yellow  fever.  There  were  two 
hospital  ships  near  to  the  old  Jersey,  but  these  were  soon 
so  crowded  with  the  sick  that  they  could  receive  no  more. 
The  consequence  was,  that  the  diseased  and  the  healthy 
were  mingled  together  in  the  main  ship.  In  a  short  time 
we  had  two  hundred  or  more,  sick  and  dying,  lodged  in 
the  fore  part  of  the  lower  gi  n  deck,  where  all  the  prison, 
ers  were  confined  at  night.  Utter  derangement  was  a 
common  symptom  of  yellow^  fever;  and,  to  increase  the 
horror  of  the  darkness  that  shrouded  us,  (for  we  were 
allowed  no  light  betwixt  decks,)  the  voice  of  w^arning 
would  be  heard,  *  Take  heed  of  yourselves  ;  there  is  a  mad- 
man stalking  through  the  ship  with  a  knife  in  his  hand.' 
I  sometimes  found  the  man  a  corpse  in  the  morning  by 
whose  side  I  laid  myself  down  at  night.  While  so  many 
were  sick  with  raging  fever,  there  was  a  loud  cry  for 
w^ater,  but  none  could  be  had  except  on  the  upper  deck, 
and  but  one  allowed  to  ascend  at  a  time.  The  suffering 
then,  from  the  rage  of  thirst  during  the  night,  was  very 
great.  Nor  was  it  at  all  times  safe  to  attempt  to  go  up. 
Provoked  by  the  continual  cry  for  leave  to  ascend,  when 
there  was  already  one  on  deck,  the  sentry  would  push 
them  back  with  his  bayonet.  By  one  of  these  thrusts, 
which  was  more  spiteful  and  violent  than  common,  I  had 
a  narrow  escape  of  my  Hfe.  In  the  morning  the  hatch- 
ways were  thrown  open,  and  we  were  allowed  to  ascend, 
all  at  once,  and  remain  on  the  upper  deck  during  the  day. 
But  the  first  object  that  met  our  view^  in  the  morning  was 
a  most  appalling  spectacle— a  boat  loaded  with  dead  bodies, 
conveying  them  to  the  Long  Island  shore,  where  they  were 
very  slightly  covered  with  sand.  I  sometimes  used  to 
stand  to  count  the  number  of  times  the  shovel  was  filled 
with  sand  to  cover  a  dead  body  ;  and  certain  I  am  that  a 


2 


14  PICTUKE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


few  high  tides  or  torrents  of  rain  must  have  disinterred 
them ;  and  had  they  not  been  removed,  I  should  suppose 
the  shore,  even  now,  would  be  covered  with  huge  piles  of 
the  bones  of  American  seamen.  There  were,  probably, 
four  hundred  on  board  who  had  never  had  the  small  pox — 
some,  perhaps,  might  have  been  saved  by  inoculation.  But 
humanity  was  wanting  to  try  even  this  experiment.  Let 
our  disease  be  what  it  would,  we  were  abandoned  to  our 
fate.  Now  and  then  an  American  physician  was  brought 
in  as  a  captive,  but  if  he  could  obtain  his  parole  he  left  the 
ship,  nor  could  we  much  blame  him  for  this,  for  his  own 
death  was  next  to  certain,  and  his  success  in  saving  others 
by  medicin<j,  in  our  situation,  was  small.  No  English 
physician,  or  any  one  from  the  city,  ever,  to  my  know- 
ledge, came  near  us.  The  most  healthy  and  vigorous 
were  first  seized  with  the  fever,  and  died  in  a  few  Lours. 

*'  There  is  one  palliating  circumstance  as  to  the  inhu- 
manity of  the  British,  which  ought  to  be  mentioned.  The 
prisoners  were  furnished  with  buckets  and  brushes  to 
cleanse  the  ship,  and  with  vinegar  to  sprinkle  her  inside  ; 
but  their  indolence  and  despair  were  such  that  they  would 
not  use  them,  or  but  rarely  ;  and,  indeed,  at  this  time,  the 
encouragement  to  do  it  was  small,  for  the  whole  ship, 
from  her  keel  to  the  taffrail,  was  equally  infected,  and 
contained  pestilence  sufficient  to  desolate  a  world  ;  disease 
and  death  were  wrought  into  her  very  timbers.  At  the 
time  I  left,  it  is  to  be  presumed,  a  more  filthy,  contagious 
and  deadly  abode  for  human  beings  never  existed  among 
a  Christianized  people." 

In  addition  to  the  testimony  of  Mr.  Andros,  we  have 
that  of  an  aged  gentleman,  who  confirms  the  state- 
ment made  in  Andros's  book.  He  says  he  was  ?n  officer 
on  board  of  the  United  States  frigate  Confederacy,  and  was 
captured  bv  two  English  frigates.  Being  at  the  time  of  cap- 
ture sick,  he  was  put  on  board  one  of  the  hulks  in  the 
Wallabout  that  served  as  an  hospital  ship  for  convalescents, 
but  was,  as  soon  as  somewhat  restored,  transferred  to  the 
**  Old  Jersey,"  to  make  room  for  others  more  helpless. 
Here  he  experienced  all  the  sufferings,  and  witnessed  the 


JERSEY  PRISON  SHIP.  15 


horrors  described  by  Andros,  for  five  monihs.  The  con- 
finement in  so  crowded  a  place,  the  pestilential  air,  the 
putrid  and  damaged  food  given  to  the  prisoners,  (procured 
by  the  commissaries  for  little  or  nothing,  and  charged  to 
the  English  government  at  the  prices  of  the  best  provisions,) 
soon  produced  a  fever,  under  which  this  young  man  suf. 
fered,  without  medicine  or  attendance,  until  nature,  too 
strong  for  even  such  enemies,  restored  him  to  a  species  of 
health,  again  to  be  prostrated  by  the  same  causes.  He 
says  he  never  saw  given  to  the  prisoners  one  ounce  of 
wholesome  food.  The  loathsome  beef  they  prepared  by 
pressing,  and  then  threw^  it,  with  damaged  bread,  into  the 
kettle,  skimming  ofi"  the  pre^'ious  tenants  of  this  poisonous 
food  as  they  rose  to  the  top  of  the  vessel. 

And  these  commissaries  became  rich,  and  revelled  in 
luxuries,  hearing  the  groans  of  their  victims  daily,  and 
seeing  the  bodies  of  those  who  were  relieved  from  torture 
by  death,  carried  by  boat  loads  to  be  half-buried  in  the 
sands  of  the  Wallabout.  The  testimony  proving  these 
atrocities  cannot  be  doubted.  Yet,  in  answer  to  the  re- 
monstrances of  Ge^'.eral  Washington,  Admiral  Arbuihnot 
denied  the  charge  altogether. 

To  save  his  life,  the  prisoner  who  gives  this  account  ac- 
cepted the  ofier  of  the  purser  to  become  his  deputy,  in 
which  office  he  fared  w-ell  rnd  recovered  his  health.  He 
witnessed  a  mode  of  cheating  practised  by  the  clerks  and 
underlings,  not  less  criminal  than  that  of  the  commissaries  of 
prisoners.  Such  of  the  captives  as  had  money  w^ere  libe- 
rated  by  btirgain  with  these  officials,  and  returned  on  the 
report  as  dead;  and  the  deaths  were  so  many,  that  this 
passed  without  inquiry. 

A  boat  w^ould  be  brought  to  the  ship  at  night,  and  by  a 
system  of  collusion,  the  person  who  had  bought  his  liberty 
would  be  removed  on  some  specious  pretence.  Faith  was 
kept  with  them  to  encourage  others  in  the  same  process. 

The  old  prison  ship  was  sunk  after  the  Revolution,  and 
now  remains  under  water,  off  the  present  Navy  Yard.  But 
a  few  years  since,  part  of  her  hull  was  seen  above  water 
at  low  tide. 


16  PICTURE  OF  NE W.YORK. 


YELLOW  FEVER  AND  CHOLERA. 

Ln  1778,  the  yellow  fever  broke  out  in  this  city,  and 
continued  its  ravages  under  more  distressing  circumstances 
than  at  any  subsequent  appearance  of  the  disease.  The 
first  victim  died  on  the  29th  of  July,  in  Front-street, — his 
disease  assuming  the  most  malignant  form.  It  raged  with 
great  violence  in  New  Slip,  in  Clifi-street,  John-street  and 
Rider-Street,  where  not  a  family  escaped  its  ravages.  It  was 
thought  at  the  time  that  it  had  its  origin  in  some  unfinished 
docks,  in  which  putrid  matter  existed.  On  the  12th,  13th 
and  14th  of  August,  there  were  heavy  showers  of  rain, 
which  covered  the  streets  knee  deep,  and  filled  many 
cellars.  This,  instead  of  abating  the  pestilence  as  was  an- 
ticipated, seemed  to  increase  it.  From  this  time  till  the 
middle  of  September,  the  daily  deaths  fluctuated  from  20 
to  60.  The  fever  entirely  ceased  about  the  10th  of  No- 
vember. The  whole  number  of  deaths  was  estimated  at 
two  thousand  and  eighty-six.  More  than  one  half  of  the 
population  left  the  city  soon  after  the  first  appearance  of 
the  disease.  Most  of  the  places  of  public  business  were 
removed  far  out  of  town,  away  from  the  infected  districts. 

In  July,  1803,  the  yellow  fever  again  made  its  appear- 
ance in  New-York,  and  continued  till  the  end  of  the  fol- 
lowing October.  About  six  hundred  deaths  occurred  at 
*his  time.  The  alarm  of  the  people  was  very  suddenly 
produced,  and  the  suspension  of  business  and  the  deser- 
tion of  the  city,  far  exceeded  that  of  any  former  occasion. 

In  1805,  about  four  hundred  people  died  from  yellow 
fever ;  and  in  1822,  twelve  hundred  and  thirty-six  more  fell 
victims  to  its  ravages. 

In  July,  1832,  the  Asiatic  Cholera  made  its  appearance 
in  New-York.  It  commenced  July  2d,  and  continued  till 
October  19th.  During  this  time  the  average  of  deaths 
per  day  was  about  sixty.  The  whole  number  of  deaths 
was  four  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty. 


GENERAL  DESCKIPTIOX.  17 


(Bcncval  ul^scriptiou  of  X'eiT'-ljork. 


New-Yokk  City,  from  its  wealth,  population  and  com- 
mercial importance,  has  been  justly  called  the  Metropolis 
of  the  United  States.  It  is  the  largest  city  in  America — 
the  second,  in  commercial  importance  on  the  globe,  and 
is  not  exceeded  in  population  by  more  than  five  cities  in 
all  Europe.  With  unequaled  advantages  as  to  central 
position,  and  long  established  commercial  precedence, 
with  one  of  the  finest  harbours  in  the  world,  and  possessing 
great  natural  facilities  of  inland  communication,  it  must 
ever  maintain  its  position  as  the  London  of  America.  At 
its  present  rate  of  increase,  its  population,  in  fifty  years, 
will  exceed  that  of  any  city  in  the  world.  All  history  does 
not  furnish  another  instance  of  such  rapid  growth. 

The  compact  part  of  the  city  occupies  the  southern  ex- 
tremity of  Manhattan,  or  New. York  Island,  at  the  conflu- 
ence of  the  Hudson  river  with  a  strait  called  East  river, 
which  connects  Lung  Island  sound  with  the  harbour  of 
New-York.  The  chartered  limits  of  the  city  embrace  the 
whole  island,  which  is  of  the  same  extent  with  the  county. 
The  island  extends  from  the  Battery,  on  the  south  point  of  the 
island,  13^  miles  to  King's  Bridge,  in  its  north  part ;  and  has 
an  average  breadth  of  one  mile  and  three  fifths.  The 
greatest  breadth  is  on  a  line  with  88th  street,  where  it  is 
2i  miles  wide.  The  island  contains  14,000  acres.  It  is 
separated  from  the  main  land,  on  the  north,  by  Harlsem 
river,  a  tide-water  strait,  which  flows  between  the  Hudson 
and  East  rivers.  The  Harlaem  river  is  crossed  by  three 
bridges,  the  Harlaem  rail-road,  and  the  Croton  aqueduct. 
The  East  river  separates  the  city  from  Long  Island  on  the 
east ;  on  the  south  is  the  harbour,  and  on  the  west  is  the 
Hudson  river,  with  the  State  of  New-Jersey  on  the  oppo- 
site shore. 


2* 


18  PICTURE  OF  NEW- YORK. 


The  surface  of  the  island  was  originally  uneven  and 
rough,  as  is  now  the  case  in  the  northern  parts,  with  occa- 
sional low  valleys  and  marshy  swamps  ;  but  the  hills  in  the 
southern  part  of  the  island  have  been  levelled,  and  the 
swamps  and  marshes  filled  up.  Many  creeks  and  inlets 
on  the  margins  of  the  rivers  have  also  disappeared,  and  the 
large  ledge  of  rocks  that  occupied  the  site  of  the  present 
Battery  has  long  since  been  buried  by  made  ground.  The 
water  line  has  been  materially  altered  from  what  it  was. 
A  large  part  of  Water,  Front  and  South  streets,  on  the 
East  river,  and  of  Greenwich,  Washington  and  West 
streets,  on  the  Hudson  river,  occupy  made  ground. 

The  city  extends  over  three  miles  on  each  river,  and 
the  compact  part  has  a  circumference  of  over  nine 
miles.  In  latter  times,  care  has  been  taken  to  lay  out 
the  streets  straight,  and  of  an  ample  width.  This  is  par- 
ticularly true  of  all  the  northern  part  of  the  city,  which  was 
laid  out  under  the  direction  of  Governeur  Morris,  De  Witt 
Chnton  and  others,  and  surveyed  by  Mr.  John  Randall, 
jr.  The  survey  was  completed  in  1821,  after  having  occu- 
pied ten  years.  No  city  can  exhibit  a  more  beautiful  plan 
than  this  portion  of  the  city  of  New-York,  which  extends 
to  154th  street,  about  ten  miles  north  of  the  Battery. 

The  island  is  mostly  composed  of  granite,  which  is  gene- 
rally buried  from  10  to  15  feet  under  ground.  The  su- 
perincumbent earth  is  composed  of  drift  sand  and  pebbles, 
with  large  quantities  of  oxide  of  iron,  which  gives  it  a  red 
colour.  The  rocks  crop  out,  and  appear  on  the  surface,  in 
the  upper  parts  of  the  island,  to  a  considerable  extent.  The 
soil  for  the  most  part  is  fertile,  but  from  the  abundance  of 
rocks,  hard  to  cultivate.  The  island  was  originally  covered 
with  a  very  large  growth  of  wood- 

The  harbour  of  New-York  is  safe  and  commodious,  its 
circumference  being  about  25  miles.  The  largest  vessels 
may  come  up  to  the  wharves. 

On  the  Bar  at  Sandy  Hook,  the  depth  of  water  at  high 
tide  is  ;^7feet;  from  thence  to  the  city,  the  channel  is 
from  35  to  50  feet.  The  inner  harbour  communicates  with 
the -outer,  or  Raritan  Bay  and  the  ocean,  by  the  Narrows,  a 


ENVIRONS. 


19 


passage  between  Staten  Island  and  Long  Island,  and  by  a 
strait,  called  Staten  Island  sound,  or  the  Kills,  which  empty 
into  Raritan  Bay,  on  the  west.  There  are  three  islands  in 
the  harbour,  namely  :  Bedlow's,  Ellis's  and  Governor's,  all 
strongly  fortified,  and  owned  by  the  United  Slates  govern- 
ment. United  States  criminals  are  hung  on  Bedlow's 
island.  Governor's  island,  opposite  the  Battery,  has  three 
forts,  and  contains  70  acres.  Castle  William  on  the  north- 
west side,  is  a  large  round  structure,  200  feet  in  diameter, 
60  feet  high,  and  mounts  three  tiers  of  guns. 


ENVIRONS  OF  NEW-YORK. 

The  principal  place  in  the  neighbourhood  of  the  city  is 
Brooklyn.  This  city  will  be  particularly  described  here- 
after. 

•WILLIA3ISBURG, 

A  recentlybuilt  town,  situated  on  the  East  river,  northeast 
of  Brooklyn,  and  oppv  site  the  northeast  part  of  New-York, 
with  which  it  has  frequent  communication,  by  means  of 
several  steam  ferry-boats.  Population  in  1840,  5,094  ;  in 
1845,  11,338.  Its  chief  buildings  are,  a  town  hall  and  seven 
churches,  together  with  handsome  private  dwellings. 

ASTORIA, 

A  flourishing  village  of  Queen's  county,  six  miles  north, 
east  from  New. York.  It  has  a  population  of  about  750 — 
with  four  churches,  an  academy,  and  an  extensive  botanic 
garden.  It  occupies  a  beautiful  position  on  Long  Island 
sound,  near  that  remarkable  whirlpool,  called  by  the  Dutch, 
Helle  Gat.,  '*  Hell  Gafe.^^  Astoria  is  one  of  the  favourite 
summer  residences  of  the  New-Yorkers. 

FLUSHING-, 

An  incorporated  town  of  Long  Island,  situated  on 
Flushing  Bay,  an  arm  of  Long  Island  soand.  Population 


20 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


about  2,000.  This  is  the  seat  of  several  literary  institu- 
tions, as  St.  Paul's  College,  St.  Thomas's  IJall,  St.  Ann's 
Hall,  &c.  The  Linaean  Botanic  Garden  is  here.  These, 
and  other  advantages,  render  Flushing  one  of  the  most  at- 
tractive places  of  resort  on  the  island.  It  is  about  ten  miles 
distant  from  New- York. 

JAMAICA, 

A  large  and  well  built  town  of  Queen's  county,  eleven 
miles  from  Brooklyn,  with  a  population,  according  to  the 
late  census,  of  1,C50.  Its  chief  buildings,  besides  those  of 
the  county,  are  five  churches,  one  academy,  eight  hotels  and 
taverns,  and  several  manufactories  of  pianos  and  carriages. 
The  Long  Island  Rail-Road  Company  have  a  large  dep6t 
and  machine  shop  here.  Constant  communication  with 
Brooklyn,  Flushing,  Hempstead,  Rockaway,  &c.,  is  afford- 
ed by  the  rail-road  or  stages,  which  ply  in  all  directions. 
Jamaica  Bay,  five  miles  south  from  the  town,  abounds  in 
wild  fowl,  oysters,  clams,  &c. 

ROCKAWAY  BEACH, 

A  celebrated  watering  place,  on  the  shore  of  the  Atlan- 
tic Ocean,  twenty-two  miles  southeast  from  New-York. 

There  are,  in  addition  to  the  "  Marine  Pavilion"  and 
Rock  Hall,"  both  well  kept,  several  private  establishments ; 
where,  with  less  parade  and  show  of  style,  the  invalid  may 
enjoy  the  refreshing  sea  air  and  bath  in  their  utmost  per- 
fection, and  at  a  moderate  expense  ;  while  those  who  in- 
habit the  former  are  expected,  and  expect  to  pay  liberally 
for  their  extravagant  accommodations. 

FLATBUSH, 

A  neat  village  of  King's  county,  four  miles  southeast  from 
Brooklyn  ;  containing  450  inhabitants.  Near  this  village, 
in  August,  1776,  was  fought  the  disastrous  and  memora- 
ble battle  of  Long  Island,  between  the  American  and 
British  forces. 

CONEY  ISLAND, 

A  bathing  place  of  great  resort,  and  forms  a  part  of 
Gravesend  township. 


ENVIRONS.  21 


FORT  HAMILTON. 

This  fortress,  which,  in  connection  with  forts  Lafayette 
and  Tompkins,  commands  the  Narrows,  is  situated  on  the 
western  end  of  Long  Island,  and  about  8  miles  nearly  due 
south  from  New-York.  A  small  assemblage  of  houses 
has  grown  up  around  it,  including  one  church  and  an  exten- 
sive boarding  house.  It  has  recently  become  a  place  of 
fashionable  resort,  chiefly  for  the  convenience  of  sea 
bathing. 

NEW-ERIGHTON  AND  STATEN  ISLAND, 

A  village  of  country  seats,  erected  for  the  accommoda- 
tion of  some  of  the  "  best  society"  of  New-York.  It  occu- 
pies the  most  northern  point  of  Staten  Island,  at  the  en- 
trance of  the  "  Kills,"  which  separate  the  island  from  the 
Jersey  shore.  The  town  plot,  which  for  the  most  part  is 
the  result  of  expensive  excavation,  descends  rapidly  from 
the  base  of  the  adjoining  hills,  and  the  buildings  range  in  a 
line  with,  and  at  nearly  an  equal  distance  from  the  margin  of 
New-York  bay.  The  situation  is  very  fine,  commanding 
a  view  of  the  bay,  with  its  islets,  the  city.  Long  Island,  &c. 
The  houses,  with  their  white  fronts  and  massive  columns, 
present  a  beautiful  ap.^earance  from  the  water.  There  are 
two  extensive  hotels  and  several  boarding  houses.  Popula- 
tion about  400.  A  short  distance  to  the  west  stands  the 
Sailors'  Snug  Harbour,  a  sort  of  Greenwich  Hospital  or 
Asylum  for  superannuated  mariners.  It  consists  of  a  large 
building  with  wings,  so  arranged  as  to  accommodate  a 
large  number  of  inmates.  Two  miles  east  of  Brighton  lie 
the  Quarantine  Ground^  the  Marine  Hospital^  and  Tomp- 
kinsville.  The  latter  is  a  large  town,  containing  upwards  of 
1,400  inhabitants,  three  churches,  several  hotels,  and  beau, 
tifuily  situated  on  the  high  ground  in  the  rear  of  fort  Tomp- 
kins. Attached  to  the  Quarantine  estabhshment  are,  the 
Marine  Hospital,  for  the  reception  of  patients  afflicted  with 
contagious  diseases ;  a  Yellow  Fever  Hospital  ;  a  Small 
Pox  Hospital ;  besides  several  other  buildings  for  the 
Physician,  Health  Officers  and  others. 

Steam.boats  leave  the  lower  part  of  the  city  every  hour 


22  PICTURE  OF  xew-yoee:. 


during  the  day  for  New  Brighton,  the  Quarantine  Ground, 
and  Tompkinsville. 

JERSEY  CITY, 

On  the  west  side  of  the  Hudson,  opposite  New-York, 
situated  on  a  point  or  cape,  formerly  called  Paulus  Hook. 
The  city  is  regularly  laid  out,  with  the  streets,  which  are 
generally  wide,  crossing  each  other  at  right  angles.  The 
public  buildings  are,  four  churches,  a  lyceum,  academy,  high 
school,  a  bank,  a  pottery,  glass  factory,  and  about  300  pri- 
vate dwellings.  Population,  3,072.  The  New-Jersey 
Rail-Road  Company  have  an  extensive  depot  here  ;  and  the 
Morris  Canal,  from  Bordentown,  intersects  the  Hudson  in 
the  lower  part  of  the  city. 

HARSIMUS 

Is  a  small  village  directly  in  the  rear  of  Jersey  City, 
containing  125  inhabitaiits. 

UOBOKEX, 

A  new  village  of  Hudson  county,  New.Jersey,  contain- 
ing about  200  inhabitants,  an  Episcopal  church,  and  several 
public  houses.  Hoboken  is  much  frequented  by  the  citi- 
zens of  New-York.  The  Elysian  Fields,"  so  called, 
contain  some  beautiful  walks.  A  fine  view  of  the  city  may 
be  had  from  the  high  grounds  of  Hoboken.  Hoboken  has 
recently  acquired  additional  notoriety,  as  the  scene  of  a 
most  shocking  tragedy,  in  which  a  young  girl.  Miss  Rogers, 
was  murdered  by  some  unknown  hand.  The  village  of 
West  Hoboken,  siiu^ied  on  the  summit  of  Bergen  Hill, 
commands  a  fine  view  of  the  city  and  harbour. 

WEEHAWKEX, 

A  small  settlement  on  the  Jersey  shore,  consisting  of 
some  twenty  or  thirty  buildings  ;  beautifully  situated,  about 
two  miles  north  of  Hoboken,  on  an  elevated  bluff  of  the 
Hudson. 

BL003II.\GDALE, 

A  remarkably  neat  village  of  New-York  county,  situated 
on  the  left  bank  of  the  Hudson,  five  miles  above  the  City- 


ENVIRONS. 


23 


Hall.  An  Orphan's  Asylum  is  established  here.  The  vil- 
lage  consists  chiefly  of  country  seats,  and  contains  some 
400  inhabitants.  About  two  miles  beyond  Bloomingdale,  on 
the  same  side  of  the  river,  is 

MAXHATTANVILLE, 

Containing  about  500  inhabitants,  an  Episcopal  church, 
and  some  extensive  factories.  The  New-York  Lunatic 
Asylum  occupies  a  commanding  posidon  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  village. 

HARLJEM 

Is  situated  two  miles  southeast  of  Manhattanville,  on  Har- 
Isem  river,  near  its  discharge  into  Long  Island  sound.  It  is  a 
flourishing  village,  with  a  population  of  1,500,  four  churches, 
and  a  superabundance  of  hotels,  besides  a  commodious 
depot,  belonging  to  the  New-York  and  Harlcem  Rail-Road 
Company,  and  several  factories.  The  cars  for  Harlaem 
start  every  hour  from  the  dep6.,  northeast  of  the  City-Hall. 

NEWARK. 

This  is  by  far  the  largest,  and  as  a  manufacturing  place, 
the  most  important  town,  or  rather  city,  for  it  is  organized 
as  such,  in  the  state  of  New-Jersey.  Its  population,  ac- 
cording to  the  census  of  1840,  is  17,292,  a  large  portion  of 
which  is  engaged  in  the  various  manufactories,  which 
abound  here  to  an  unusual  extent.  Newark  was  first  set- 
tied  in  1666,  by  people  from  New-England. 

The  Passaic,  here  a  beauuful  stream,  flows  along  the 
eastern  side  of  the  town,  and  gradually  curves  towards  the 
east,  in  its  passage  into  Newurk  bay,  three  miles  distant 
from  the  city.  Its  streets  and  avenues  are  wide,  and 
shaded  by  an  abundance  of  trees,  which  add  greatly  to  the 
beauty  of  the  city  and  the  comfort  of  its  citizens.  The 
many  manufacturing  establishments  in  and  about  the  place, 
give  it  an  active  and  business-like  appearance. 

Besides  the  factories,  most  of  which  are  on  a  large  scale, 
there  are  several  breweries,  grist  and  saw  mills,  dyeing 
houses,  and  printing  offices,  each  of  which  issues  a  news- 
paper,  &c.    There  are  schools  innumerable,  academies. 


24 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


and  several  literary  and  scientific  institutions.  Of  churches, 
the  Episcopalians  have  two  ;  the  Presbyterians  five ;  the 
Baptists  two ;  the  Dutch  Reformed  one ;  the  Methodists 
three,  and  the  Roman  Catholics  one.  The  other  public 
buildings  are  the  court  house,  county  offices,  three  banks,  and 
the  immense  dep6t  of  the  New-Jersey  Rail-Road  Company. 

ELIZABETHTOWN, 

A  beautiful  town,  situated  on  Elizabeth  creek,  in  Essex 
county,  containing  about  five  hundred  buildings  and  3,000 
inhabitants.  It  is  a  borough  town,  and  one  of  the  oldest 
in  the  state,  its  site  having  been  purchased  from  the  In- 
dians by  a  company  from  Long  Island,  as  early  as  the 
year  1664. 

There  is  in  this  town  an  unusual  proportion  of  handsome 
dwellings  and  churches  ;  which,  with  the  wide  and  regular 
streets,  impart  an  air  of  great  neatness  and  beauty  to  the 
place,  anrl  render  it  a  very  desirable  residence. 

The  Elizabethport  and  Somerville  Rail-Road,  as  well  as 
that  from  Jersey  City  to  New-Brunswick,  passes  through  the 
town.  These,  with  turnpikes  and  several  good  common 
roads,  afford  extensive  facilities  for  conveying  to  market 
the  agricultural  products  and  manufactures  of  the  town 
and  adjacent  country. 

RAHWAY, 

A  large  and  thriving  town  of  Essex  and  Middlesex  coun. 
ties,  formed  by  the  union  of  several  villages, — population  is 
2,533,  originally  from  New-England.  The  Presbyterians 
Methodists,  Baptists  and  Friends,  have  places  of  worship 
here.  Those  of  the  Presbyterians  and  Episcopalians  are 
beautiful  structures.  Among  the  liberal  institutions  of  the 
place,  which  possesses  many,  there  are  a  public  library,  an 
"  Athenean  Academy,"  so  called,  a  fine  building,  erected 
by  a  company  expressly  for  the  institution,  which  partakes, 
in  some  measure  of  the  nature  of  a  high  school.  Rahway 
is  a  large  manufacturing  place.  Establishments  on  an  ex- 
tensive scale  are  in  daily  operation  here.  The  manufactures 
consist  of  silk  printing,  carriages  and  carriage  furniture, 
hats,  shoe;,  clothing,clocks,  earthenware  and  cotton  goods. 


EXVmONS. 


25 


NEW-BRUXSWICK. 

This  place  is  situated  in  the  counties  of  Somerset  and 
Middlesex,  and  is  the  seat  of  justice  of  the  latter.  It  is 
an  incorporated  city,  and  next  to  Newark  the  largest  town 
in  the  state.  Its  population  is  6,693,  and  the  numher  of 
buildings  is  about  ],200. 

PASSAIC  FALLS. 

This  is  a  beautiful  sheet  of  w^ater,  which  presents  an 
unbroken  fall  of  fifty  feet.  It  is  situated  at  the  town  of 
Paterson,  on  the  Passaic  river,  whose  banks  here  are  nearly 
vertical.  The  water  in  its  passage,  through  the  lapse  of 
ages,  has  worn  a  deep  chasm  into  the  solid  rock,  which  is 
obviously  retreating,  as  the  abraded  banks  below  testify. 
No  spectacle  can  be  more  imposing  than  is  presented  by 
the  falling  water,  as  it  glides  gently  over  the  brow  of  the 
precipice.  The  town  of  Paterson  is  admirably  situated 
for  manufacturing  purposes  at  the  falls,  which  afford  a 
constant  and  abundant  supply  of  water  for  the  vast  num- 
ber of  factories  in  operation  in  the  town,  which  is  now  one 
of  the  most  important  manufacturing  places  in  the  United 
Slates.  The  number  of  buildings  at  present  in  Paterson 
and  New  Manchest'^^r,  an  adjoining  village,  is  upwards  of 
one  thousand,  and  mat  of  the  inhabitants,  7,598.  Here 
are  Presbyterians,  both  of  the  old  and  new  schools  ;  Dutch 
Reformed,  Roman  Catholics,  Episcopalians,  Baptists, 
Methodists,  Seceders,  Lutherans,  Friends,  Universalists, 
Unitarians,  &,c.  There  are  m  the  town  a  society  for  the 
promotion  of  literature  and  science,  which  has  an  excel- 
lent Library,  a  IlFechanics'  Institute,  a  Museum,  a  Circula- 
ting Library,  a  Public  Library,  and  some  other  institutions 
of  a  similar  description. 

ELIZABETHPORT, 

A  very  neat  and  flourishing  village  of  New-Jersey, 
which  has  recently  started  into  notice  ;  being  at  the  eastern 
terminus  of  the  Elizabethport  and  Somerville  Rail-Road, 
now  in  operation.    Population  about  600. 


3 


26 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


PERTH  AMBOY, 

A  city  and  port  of  entry  of  Middlesex  county,  New- 
Jersey,  at  the  confluence  of  Raritan  river  and  Staten  Island 
sound.  Population  1,303.  It  derives  its  name  in  part 
from  James,  Earl  of  Perth,  one  of  the  original  proprietors 
of  the  ground,  which  was  laid  oflfinto  town  lots  in  1683, 
and  incorporated  in  1784.  A  large  portion  of  the  buildings 
are  elevated  forty  or  fifty  feet  above  the  adjacent  bay. 

The  Brighton  Hous(3,  a  large  hotel,  erected  here  several 
years  since,  forms  a  striking  object  of  attention.  Like 
many  other  "  experiments,"  the  hotel  failed  to  realize  the 
expectations  of  its  proprietors  ;  and  it  is  now  occupied, 
during  the  sum.mer  months,  by  wealthy  families  from 
New- York. 

FORT  LEE. 

This  fort,  which,  with  Fort  Washington,  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  river,  was  the  scene  of  important  military 
operations  during  the  revolutionary  war.  A  large  body  of 
American  militia  stationed  here,  in  attempting  to  retreat, 
were  overpowered  by  a  vastly  superior  force,  consisting 
chiefly  of  Hessians,  when  they  were  either  slain  or  con- 
signed to  the  prison  ship,  a  fate  more  terrific  than  death 
itself.  The  site  of  Fort  Lee  is  upwards  of  300  feet  above 
the  water.  A  hotel  at  the  landing  is  much  frequented. 
A  few  miles  below  Fort  Lee  commence  the  Palisades,  a 
lofty  basaltic  wall,  which  extends  for  twenty  miles  up  the 
west  bank  of  the  Hudson.  They  are  nearly  vertical,  and 
range  from  200  to  500  feet  in  height. 

SPUYTEN  DUYVEL  CREEK, 

An  inconsiderable  opening  on  the  east  side  of  the  Hud- 
son, wiiich,  with  Harlsem  river,  separates  the  island  of 
New-York  from  the  main  land  of  Westchester  county. 

E:I]N'G'S  BRIDGE, 

A  sort  of  rialto  among  the  New-Yorkers,  crosses  the 
strait  a  short  distance  from  the  Hudson. 

YONKERS, 

A  pleasant  village  of  Westchester  county,  situated  at 


PUBLIC  BUILDIiNGS. 


27 


the  outlet  of  Saw-Mill  Creek.  It  is  built  mostly  on  the 
river  bank,  which,  being  somewhat  elevated,  commands 
a  fiae  view  of  the  river  and  the  Palisades  opposite.  Besides 
the  two  churches,  an  academy  and  several  taverns  and 
storehouses,  there  are  upwards  of  75  dwellings,  and  a 
population  of  about  500. 

HASTINGS, 

A  small  village  and  landing,  of  the  same  county,  con- 
sisting of  15  or  20  buildings,  of  various  sorts,  including  one 
hotel,  a  button  factory,  <&:c. 

dobb's  ferry 

Is  a  small  settlement  and  public  landing  in  Westchester 
county,  with  a  ferry  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  Hudson. 

PIERMONT,   FORMERLY  TAPPAX  SLOAT. 

This  village  having  been  selected  for  the  eastern  termi- 
nus of  the  New-York  and  Erie  Rail-Road,  the  secluded  little 
Dutch  settlement  of  the  "  Sloat"  has  received  the  classic 
soubriquet  of  "  Piermont,"  and  is  now  an  important  town 
of  Rockland  county.  Such  has  been  the  effect  of  this 
movement,  that  its  site  is  now  covered  by  handsome  pub- 
lic and  private  edifices,  which  form  a  striking  contrast  with 
the  little  Dutch  houses  of  its  primitive  inhabitants. 

There  are  in  the  "  own  upwards  of  150  buildings,  inclu- 
ding two  or  three  churches,  and  a  population  of  about  1,100. 
A  pier  about  one  mile  in  length,  which  forms  the  com- 
mencement of  the  rail-road  just  mentioned,  extends  over 
the  flats  to  a  commodious  dock,  near  the  channel  of  the 
river. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 

CITY-HALL. 

The  City. Hall  is  one  of  the  most  prominent  buildings  in 
New-York,  standing  near  the  centre  of  the  Park,  an  area  of 
about  ten  acres.  From  this  situation  it  is  seen  in  every  direc- 


28  PICTURE  OF  NEW- YORK. 


tion  to  great  advantage  ;  a  few  years  since  it  was  regarded 
as  the  finest  building  in  the  city,  and  now,  with  its  interest- 
ing furniture  and  associations,  commands  great  attention. 
The  front  and  ends  are  made  of  white  marble,  from  Stock- 
bridge,  Mass.,  but  the  back  is  constructed  of  free-stone. 
At  the  time  it  was  built  marble  was  expensive,  and  it  was 
determined  to  finish  the  back  with  cheaper  stone.  It  was 
maintained  that  the  population  would  never,  to  any  extent, 
settle  above  Chambers-street,  and  therefore  the  rear  of  the 
hall  would  seldom  be  seen.  The  corner  stone  was  laid  on  the 
26th  of  September,  1803,  during  the  prevalence  of  the  yel- 
low fever.  It  was  finished  in  1812,  and  the  expense,  ex- 
clusive of  furniture,  amounted  to  half  a  million  of  dollars. 

The  City.Hall  is  216  feet  long,  105  wide,  and  51  high. 
It  is  two  stories  high  above  the  basement,  with  a  third  or 
attic  story  in  the  centre  building.  From  the  centre  rises  a 
cupola  of  veiy  beautiful  proportions.  In  the  upper  part  of 
the  cupola  a  man  is  lodged,  whose  business  it  is  to  give 
alarm  in  case  of  fire,  by  ringing  the  big  bell,  which  occu. 
pies  a  small  cupola  on  the  back  part  of  the  roof  Tins  bell 
is  rung  in  cases  of  fire,  when  it  indicates,  by  the  number 
of  its  strokes,  the  part  of  the  city  where  the  fire  is  located. 
Small  apertures  are  cut  in  the  sides  of  the  cupola,  of  suflli- 
cient  size  to  allow  of  the  eyes  extending  over  only  so  much 
of  the  city  as  is  included  in  the  fire  districts  to  which  they 
severally  belong,  and  thus  the  location  of  the  fire  is  in- 
stantly ascertained.  The  City.Hall  bell  weighs  6,910  lbs., 
and  its  tongue  is  over  six  feet  long.  It  is  probably  the 
largest  bell  in  America.  There  are  four  entrances  to  the 
building — one  in  front,  one  in  the  rear,  and  one  in  each  end 
— the  latter  communicates  with  the  basement  apartments. 
The  front  entrance  is  on  the  first  story,  to  which  there  is 
access  by  a  flight  of  twelve  marble  steps,  surmounted  by 
a  portico  of  sixteen  columns.  In  the  centre  of  the  rear  of 
the  building  there  is  a  projecting  pediment.  The  first 
story,  including  the  portico,  is  of  the  Ionic  style,  the  second 
of  the  Corinthian,  the  attic  of  the  fancy,  and  the  cupola  of 
the  composi'O.  The  rear  of  the  building  is  by  many  con- 
sidered to  be  more  beautiful  than  the  front.    In  the  centre 


THE   TOMBS.   OR  HALLS 
»;entre  Street. 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS.  29 


there  is  a  double  staircase,  ascended  by  marble  steps,  at 
the  top  of  which  is  a  circular  gallery,  ornamented  with  ten 
marble  columns,  which  support  the  ceiling.  In  the  build- 
ing there  are  twenty-eight  offices  and  public  rooms.  The 
Governor's  room  is  a  long  hall,  running  52  feet  from  wing 
to  wing;  it  is  used  as  a  reception  hall  by  the  Governor, 
Mayor,  and  other  distinguished  men.  Its  walls  are  hung 
with  some  of  the  finest  pictures  in  America,  consisting 
principally  of  portraits  of  great  national  characters.  Among 
them  are  the  Governors  of  New- York,  Mayors  of  the  city 
since  the  Revolution,  some  of  the  Dutch  Governors,  and 
the  principal  naval  and  military  heroes  of  the  late  war. 
These  were  painted  by  Jarvis,  Sully,  Stewart,  Inman,  Page, 
and  some  other  distinguished  artists.  The  Common  Coun- 
cil hall  is  a  beautiful  room,  42  feet  long  and  30  wide.  It 
contains  some  fine  portraits,  and  the  chair  which  was  oc- 
cupied by  Washington  when  President  of  the  first  Con- 
gress. The  Assistant  Aldermen's  hall  is  spacious,  ele- 
gantly furnished,  and  hung  with  valuable  paintings.  Access 
to  these  rooms  and  the  roof,  free  of  expense,  may  be  had 
by  any  person,  by  inquiring  at  the  keeper's  room.  The 
keeper  has  no  right  o  ask  for  remuneration,  as  he  receives 
a  salary  from  the  city  to  attend  to  this  business.  The  City- 
Hail,  with  its  many  interesting  relics  and  paintings,  is 
much  visited,  and  is  well  worthy  the  attention  of  the  stran- 
ger and  citizen. 

HALL  OF  RECORDS. 

This  building,  situated  in  the  Park,  east  of  the  City-Hall, 
was  formerly  a  city  prison,  when  it  presented  a  very  gloomy 
and  unsightly  appearance,  being  built  of  coarse  black  stone. 
It  has  since  been  stuccoed  in  imitation  of  marble,  and 
two  lofty  porticoes  added,  consisting  of  four  marble  Ionic 
columns  at  each  end.  Its  name  indicates  its  present  use. 
It  was  used  during  the  time  of  the  prevalence  of  the 
cholera,  in  1832,  as  a  hospital. 

HALLS  OF  JUSTICE. 

This  building  occupies  the  space  between  Centre,  Elm, 


3* 


30 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YOPwK. 


Leonard  and  Franklin-streets,  the  site  of  the  old  Collect,  a 
filthy  pond,  which  had  its  outlet  through  Canal-street.  The 
Halls  of  Justice  is  a  much  admired  specimen  of  modern- 
ized Egyptian  architecture.  It  is  built  of  light  granite  from 
Hallowell,  Maine.  It  is  253  feet  long,  and  200  wide,  and 
occupies  the  four  sides  of  a  hollow  square,  with  a  large 
centre  building  within  the  area.  The  front  is  approached 
by  eight  steps,  leading  to  a  portico  of  four  massive  Egyptian 
columns.  The  windows,  which  extend  to  the  height  of 
two  stories,  have  massive  iron  grated  frames,  surmounted 
with  cornices,  ornamented  with  a  winged  globe  and  ser- 
pents. The  two  fronts  on  Leonard  and  Franklin-streets, 
have  each  two  entrances,  with  two  massive  columns  each. 
The  gloomy  aspect  of  this  building,  has  won  for  it  the 
general  name  of  The  Tombs."  It  is  occupied  by  the 
Court  of  Sessions,  a  police  court,  and  some  other  court 
rooms,  beside  a  male  and  female  prison  for  city  offenders, 
awaiting  trial.  State  criminals  are  hung  in  the  open  court 
within  the  walls. 

The  house  of  detention  is  a  distinct  and  isolated  ^;uild. 
ing,  142  feet  in  length,  by  45  in  width.  It  contains  148 
ceils.  The  lower  cells  are  6  feet  9  inches  wide,  II  feet 
high,  and  15  feet  long,  diminishing  18  inches  in  length 
in  each  story.  They  are  provided  with  cast-iron  water 
closets,  hydrant,  water  cock  ventilators,  and  are  warmed 
by  hot  water  pipes.  Every  part  of  the  building  is  con, 
sfucted  in  the  most  substantial  manner,  and  with  particu- 
lar reference  to  the  security  of  prisoners.  The  building 
was  finished  in  1838.  The  female  department  is  entered 
from  Leonard-street.  It  is  superintended  by  a  matron, 
who  keeps  it  in  the  most  perfect  order  and  neatness.  She 
is  very  attentive  to  visitors,  who  can  always  have  gratuitous 
access,  between  10  A.  M.  and  2  P.  M.  The  male  prison 
opens  on  Franklin-street.  Persons  can  gain  admittance 
here  on  application  for  a  written  permit,  at  the  keeper's 
room,  between  10  A.  M.  and  5  P.  M. 

CUSTOM  HOUSE. 

This  building  equals  any  in  the  world,  both  in  the  beauty 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 


31 


of  its  design  and  the  durability  of  its  construction.  It  is 
situated  on  the  corner  of  Wall  and  Nassau  streets,  and  oc- 
cupies the  ground  where  once  stood  the  old  Federal  Hall, 
the  scene  of  Washington's  inauguration.  The  building  is 
in  the  form  of  a  parallelogram,  200  feet  long  by  90  wide, 
and  about  80  feet  in  height.  Brick,  granite  and  marble 
were  used  in  its  construction  ;  but  its  outside  is  entirely  of 
marble  from  Massachusetts,  except  the  steps.  It  is  design- 
ed in  imitation  of  the  Parthenon  at  Athens,  in  the  Doric 
order.  At  the  southern  end  on  Wall-street,  is  a  portico  of 
eight  purely  Doric  columns,  5  feet  8  inches  in  diameter, 
and  32  feet  high  ;  and  on  the  opposite  end,  on  Pine-street, 
is  a  corresponding  portico  ;  on  each  side  are  13  pilasters,  in 
keeping  with  the  front  pillars.  The  front  portico  is  ascend, 
ed  by  18  granite  steps.  The  interior  is  divided  into  a 
grand  rotunda  and  numerous  spacious  rooms  for  the  ac- 
commodation of  officers.  The  rotunda  is  a  magnificent 
room,  60  feet  in  diameter;  the  dome  supported  by  16  Co- 
rinthian columns,  30  feet  high.  These  columns  are  beauti- 
fully  wrought, — the  capitals  being  of  most  exquisite  Italian 
workmanship.  The  largest  blocks  of  marble  used  in  the 
building  weigh  33  tons.  The  ceilings  of  the  apartments 
are  arched,  and  richl ornamented  with  stucco.  The  roof  is 
of  marble  ;  the  slabs  weigh  over  300  pounds,  and  lap  over 
each  other  eight  inches,  to  allow  of  the  expansive  power  and 
to  keep  out  water.  There  is  not  a  particle  of  wood  in  any 
part  of  the  building,  and  it  is  probably  the  only  structure  in 
the  world,  that  has  been  erected  so  nearly  fire  proof  The 
building  was  commenced  in  May,  1834,  and  finished  in 
May,  1841.  The  cost,  ground  included,  was  $1,195,000— 
building  alone,  §950,000.  The  architect  was  John  Frazee. 
The  exquisite  ornamental  work  w^as  designed  and  executed 
by  Horace  Kneeland,  since  become  famous  as  a  sculptor. 
The  number  of  officers  employed  in  the  Custom  House  is 
354,  of  w^hom  nearly  200  are  inspectors.  The  Custom 
House  may  be  visited  by  the  stranger  anv  time  during  the 
day,  from  10  A.  M.  to  3  P.  M.  He  will' do  well  to  enter 
at  the  side  door  in  Nassau-street,  and  from  thence  ascend 
to  the  roof,  inspecting  the  various  rooms  as  he  goes  up. 


32 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


The  key  of  ihe  roof  scuttle  may  be  had  by  inquiring  at  any 
of  the  offices  on  the  upper  floor.  There  is  no  objection  to 
the  stranger's  visiting  any  part  of  the  building.  The  roof 
commands  a  fine  view  of  the  harbour. 

3ierchant's  exchange. 
The  Merchant's  Exchange  is  located  between  Wall-street, 
Exchange-Place,  William  and  Hanover  streets.  It  is  built 
in  the  most  substantial  form,  of  blue  Quincy  granite,  and  is 
200  feet  long  by  171  to  144  feet  wide,  77  feet  high  to  the 
top  of  the  cornice,  and  124  to  the  top  of  the  dome.  The 
front  on  Wall-street  has  a  recessed  portico  of  18  massive 
Grecian  Ionic  columns,  38  feet  high  and  4  feet  4  inches  in 
di.ameter,  each  formed  from  a  solid  block  of  stone,  and 
weighing  45  tons.  Besides  numerous  rooms  for  various 
purposes,  the  rotunda  in  the  centre  is  80  feet  in  diameter, 
with  four  recesses,  making  the  length  and  breadth  each  100 
feet,  the  whole  80  feet  high,  surmounted  with  a  dome,  rest- 
ing in  part  on  eight  Corinthian  columns  of  Italian  marble, 
41  feet  high,  and  lighted  by  a  skylight  25  feet  in  diameter. 
The  granite  columns  cost  $3,000  each.  They  are  the 
largest  whole  columns  in  the  world,  with  the  exception  of 
a  church  in  St.  Petersburgh.  The  rotunda  is  80  feet  in 
diameter,  and  will  hold  3,000  persons.  The  architect  was 
Isaiah  Rogers.  The  building  cost  a  little  more  than  a  mil- 
lion  of  dollars.  It  belongs  to  a  corporation, — and  has  been 
so  far  a  losing  investment,  although  its  rooms  command 
enormous  rents.  It  contains  a  very  extensive  reading  room 
for  merchant  subscribers,  accessible  only  to  the  stranger 
by  introduction  from  a  member.  The  Chamber  of  Com- 
merce holds  its  sessions  here,  and  the  Board  of  Brokers 
occupy  the  rotunda  at  certain  hours  of  the  day.  The 
stranger  may  visit  all  parts  of  the  building. 

POST  OFFICE. 

The  Post  Office  building,  formerly  the  Middle  Dutch 
Church,  is  situated  in  Nassau-street,  between  Cedar  and 
Liberty  streets.  This  building  has  stood  over  a  hundred 
and  fifty  years — and  nine  generations  have  worshipped  at  its 


merchant's  exchange, 
Wall  Street. 


PUBLIC  BtlLDINaS.  33 


altar.  It  is  not  generally  known,  that  its  steeple,  and  much 
of  its  interior  wood  work,  was  brought  from  Holland. 
'During  the  Revolutionary  war,  most  of  the  churches  were 
used  by  the  British,  and  many  of  them  much  injured,  but 
this  church  suffered  most,  being  used  successively  as  a 
riding  school,  a  prison  and  a  hospital.  In  1790,  it  was  re- 
paired and  used  for  pubhc  worship  again.  The  United 
States  government  have  recently  converted  it  into  a  Post 
Office,  paying  for  its  use  the  annual  rent  of  five  thousand 
dollars.  It  now  presents  the  appearance  of  a  Post  Office  in 
the  heart  of  a  grave  yard  ;  a  circumstance  quite  character- 
istic of  New. York  enterprise.  The  numerous  signs  which 
appear  on  the  building,  point  out  the  various  points  of  com- 
munication with  the  interior.  Its  internal  arrangements 
are  very  extensive  and  commodious.  The  Postmaster's 
room  is  so  situated  that  he  can  see  every  thing  going  on 
in  the  building.  Office  hours  from  8  A.  M.  to  7  P.  M. 
On  Sundays,  from  9  to  10  A.  M.,  and  from  12i  to  U  P.  M. 
There  are  Penny  Postmen  attached  to  the  office,  who  go 
their  rounds  twice  a  day,  and  deliver  letters  and  papers  to 
all  who  request  them. 

THE  KOTUNDA. 

This  classical  edifice,  which  (as  the  word  imports)  is  of 
a  circular  form,  both  internally  and  externally,  was  erected 
in  the  summer  of  1818,  for  the  exhibition  of  large  panoramic 
paintings.  It  fronts  in  Chambers-street,  near  the  head  of 
Cross-street,  occupying  ground  belonging  to  the  copora- 
tion,  which  was  granted  to  the  projector,  Mr.  John  Van- 
derlyn,  the  celebrated  artist,  free  of  rent  for  ten  years,  on 
condition  that  the  building  should  devolve  to  the  city  at  the 
expiration  of  that  time.  It  is  constructed  of  brick,  is  fifty- 
three  feet  in  diameter,  and  forty  feet  in  height,  surmounted 
with  a  pantheon-shaped  dome  and  skylight,  through  which 
the  interior  is  lighted. 

It  has  a  portico,  supported  by  four  columns,  fronting  on 
the  Park,  which  gives  it  an  imposmg  appearance.  It  was 
for  some  years  occupied  by  the  Marine  Court,  and  subse- 
qiiently  by  the  City  Post  Office.    It  is  now  occupied  by 


34  PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


the  New. York  Gallery  of  Paintings,  who  have  its  use  from 
the  corporation  rent  free. — See  Department  of  Fine  Arts, 

NEW-YORK  UNIVERSITY. 

Situated  between  Washington  Place  and  Waverly  Place, 
fronts  Washington  Square  towards  the  west,  forming  a 
noble  ornament  to  the  city,  being  built  of  Westchester 
marble,  and  exhibits  a  specimen  of  the  English  collegiate 
style  of  architecture. 

The  building  is  180  feet  long  and  100  wide.  It  was 
founded  in  1631. 

In  front  this  oblong  is  divided  into  five  parts — a  central 
building,  with  wings  flanked  by  towers,  one  rising  on  each 
of  the  four  corners  of  ihe  edifice.  This  central  building  or 
chapel  is  superior  to  the  rest  in  breadth,  height  and  charac- 
ter, and  is  somewhat  similar  to  that  of  King's  College, 
Cambridge,  England — a  masterpiece  of  pointed  architec- 
ture, and  a  model  for  succeeding  ages.  It  is  fifty.five 
feet  broad  and  eighty-five  feet  deep,  including  the  octangu- 
lar turrets,  one  of  which  rises  at  each  of  the  fuur  corners. 
The  two  ends  are  gabled,  and  are,  as  well  as  the  sides, 
crowned  with  an  embattled  parapet.  The  chapel  receives 
its  principal  light  from  a  window  in  the  western  end. 
This  window  is  twenty-four  feet  wide  and  fifty  high.  It 
has  eight  lights  and  two  embattled  transoms.  From  the 
central  building,  or  chapel,  wings  project  right  and  left, 
and  are  four  stories  in  height,  flanked  by  towers, 
supported  by  angular  buttresses  of  two  stages,  running 
above  an  embattled  parapet,  and  are  at  the  top  themselves 
embattled.  The  windows  in  the  wings  have  square  heads, 
with  two  lights,  a  plain  transom,  and  the  upper  division 
tre-foiled.  The  principal  entrance  is  under  the  great  west- 
ern window,  through  a  richly  moulded  and  deeply  recessed 
portal,  flanked  by  buttresses  of  two  stages,  the  upper  stage 
set  diagonally,  and  rising  above  an  embattled  parapet. 
The  doors  are  of  oak,  richly  paneled,  and  filled  with  tra- 
cery of  open  work,  closely  studded  with  bronze. 

The  school  has  a  president  and  eleven  professors.  It 
has  in  its  collegiate  department  145  students,  and  a  valu- 


NEW  YORK  UNIVERSITY, 
WasbiDgton  Square, 
Pagt  34. 


PT'BLIC  BUILDINGS.  35 


able  library  and  philosophical  apparatus.  Connected  with 
it  is  an  extensive  grammar  school  and  a  flourishing  medi- 
cal department,  the  whole  of  which  contain  G80  students. 
Commencement,  third  Monday  in  July. 

The  chapel  is  probably  the  most  beautiful  room  of  the 
kind  in  America.  It  is  open  to  the  public  on  Sundays  for 
religious  worship.  The  New-York  Historical  Society's 
rooms  are  in  the  building.  The  building  is  accessible  to 
the  visiter  at  all  times. 

Governing  Faculty. 

Theodore  Frelinghuysen,  L.  L.  D.,  Chancellor,  and  Pro- 
fessor of  IVIoral  Philosophy  and  Rhetoric. 

Rev.  Cyrus  Mason,  D.  D.,  Professor  of  the  Evidences  of 
Revealed  Religion,  and  Rector  of  the  Grammar  School. 

Elias  Loomis,  Professor  of  Mathematics,  Natural  Philo- 
sophy and  Astronomy. 

Taylor  Lewis,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  the  Latin  and  Greek 
Languages  and  Literature. 

E.  A.  Johnson,  A.  M.,  Professor  of  Latin  Language  and 
Literature. 

Rev.  C.  S.  Henry,  D.  D.,  Pofessor  of  Intellectual  Philo- 
sophy, History  and  Bf  lles  Lettres. 

John  W.  Draper,  M.  D.,  Professor  of  Chemistry  and 
Natural  History. 

Professors,  not  of  the  Governing  Faculty. 

Samuel  F.  B.  Morse,  Professor  of  the  Literature  of  the 
Arts  of  Design. 

Rev.  George  Bush,  Professor  of  Hebrew. 

M.  Giraud,  Acting  Professor  of  the  French  Language. 

Julio  Soler,  Professor  of  the  Spanish  Language. 

Felix  Forresti,  Professor  of  the  Itahan  Language. 

COLUMBIA  COLLEGE. 

Columbia  College  is  situated  at  the  foot  of  Park  Place, 
near  Broadway,  with  extensive  grounds,  beautifully  orna- 
mented with  a  large  growth  of  forest  trees.  It  was  char- 
tered by  George  II.,  in  1754,  by  the  name  of  King's  Col- 
lege, and  confirmed,  with  the  necessary  alterations  by  the 


36  PICTURE  OF  NEW- YORK. 


Legislature  of  New- York,  in  1787.  It  has  a  president  and 
ten  professors,  1,170  alumni,  100  students,  and  14,000 
volumes  in  its  libraries.  The  building  is  200  feet  long  and 
50  feet  wide,  with  two  projecting  wings,  one  at  each  end, 
in  which  are  accommodations  for  the  families  of  the  pro- 
fessors. It  contains  a  chapel,  lecture  rooms,  hall,  museum, 
and  an  extensive  philosophical  and  chemical  apparatus. 
The  funds  amount  to  about  $200,000,  and  the  annual  in- 
come to  §7,000  or  $8,000.  There  is  a  flourishing  gram- 
mar school  attached  to  the  institution,  over  which  a  pro- 
fessor presides  as  rector. 

By  a  statute  of  Columbia  College,  the  Corporation  of  the 
City  of  New-York,  the  Trustees  of  the  New-York  Public 
School  Society,  the  Trustees  or  Directors  of  the  Clinton 
Hall  Association,  of  the  Mercantile  Library  Association, 
and  of  the  Mechanic  and  Scientific  Institutions,  the  Gene- 
ral Society  of  Mechanics  and  Tradesmen,  and  such  other 
societies  as  the  Board  of  Trustees  may  from  time  to  time 
designate,  are  each  entitled  to  have  always  two  students 
educated  in  the  college,  free  of  all  charges  ot  tuition. 
Every  religious  denomination  in  the  city  is  also  entitled 
to  have  one  student,  who  may  be  designed  for  the  minis- 
try, educated  free  of  all  charges  ;  and  every  school,  from 
which  there  shall  be  admitted  in  any  one  year  into  the  col- 
lege four  students,  have  the  privilege  of  sending  one  scholar, 
to  be  educated  gratuitously.  Commencement,  the  day  fol- 
lowing the  first  Monday  in  October. 

Faculty  of  Arts. 

Appointed. 

Nathaniel  F.  Moore,  L.  L.  D.,  President,  1842 

Rev.  John  McVickar,  S.  T.  D.,  Professor  of  Moral  )  jg-^^ 

Philosophy,  Rhetoric  and  Belles  Lettres,   \ 

Charles  Anthon,  L.  L.  D.,  Jay  Professor  of  the  ^ 

Greek  and  Latin  Languages,  and  Rector  of  the  >  1830 

Grammar  School,     j 

James  Renwick,  L.  L.  D.,  Professor  of  Natural  and  )  jg^Q 

Experimental  Philosophy  and  Chemistry,   \ 

Rev.  Charles  W.  Hackley,  S.  T.  D.,  Professor  of  )  jg^g 

Mathematics  and  Astronomy,   ^ 


PUBLIC  BUILDINGS. 


37 


James  Kent,  L.  L.  D.,  Professor  of  Law,   1823 

E.  Felix  Forresti,  L.  L.  D.,  Professor  of  the  Italian  )  ^g^g 

Language  and  Literature,   ) 

Felix  G.  Berteau,  L.  L.  D.,  Professor  of  the  French  )  ^839 

Language  and  Literature,   ^ 

Rev.  Samuel  H.  Turner,  S.  T.  D.,  Professor  of  the  )  iq^q 

Hebrew  Language,   \ 

Mariano  Velasquez  de  la  Cadena,  Professor  of  the  )  iq^Q 

Spanish  Language  and  Literature,   ^ 

John  Lewis  Telkampf,  J.  U.  D.,  Gottingen,  Gebhard  ^ 

Professor  of  the  German  Language  and  Litera-  >1843 

ture   ) 


MASONir:  HALL, 

Late  head  quarters  of  the  Whigs,  is  situated  on  the  east 
side  of  Broadway,  between  Duane  and  Pearl  streets,  and 
is  one  of  the  finest  buildings  of  the  kind  in  the  country.  It 
was  built  in  1826,  by  the  Masons,  before  their  importance 
w^as  diminished  by  opposition.  It  is  in  the  Gothic  style  of 
architecture.  It  fronts  fifty  feet  on  Broadway,  and  extends 
back  one  hundred  and  twenty  feet.  The  front  is  built  of 
granite,  seventy  feet  in  height  from  the  street  to  the  battle- 
ments in  the  centre.  The  second  story  is  a  grand  Gothic 
saloon,  ninety  feet  in  length,  forty-seven  feet  in  width,  and 
twenty.five  feet  high,  and  is  one  of  the  most  magnificent 
halls  in  the  union.  The  floor  is  supported  by  elastic 
springs  for  dancing  ;  the  ceilinr'  is  divided  into  basket  or  fan 
arches,  with  pendants  of  open  work,  and  columns  support 
the  arches  projecting  from  the  walls.  The  blank  windows 
in  the  room  are  filled  with  mirrors,  which  render  the  hall 
when  lighted  very  brilliant.  This  hall  is  now  used  as  a 
bowling  saloon,  and  is  a  place  of  great  resort. 

COLOURED  HOME, 

For  the  aged  and  indigent,  is  located  in  Forty-second- 
street,  corner  of  Fifth  Avenue.  Officers  :  Miss  Mary  Shot- 
well,  1st  Directress  ;  Mrs.  P.  G.  Arcularius,  2d  Directress  ; 
Mrs.  W.W.  Chester,  Secretary  ;  Dr.  J.  D.  Fitch,  Treasurer. 


4 


38 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


RELIGIOUS  INSTITUTIONS. 

American  Bible  Society. — This  Institution,  which  is  lo- 
cated at  115  Nassau-street,  was  organized  in  1816.  Hon. 
John  Cotton  Smith,  President.  Its  government  is  in  the 
hands  of  a  Board  of  thirty-six  Lay-managers  of  various 
religious  denominations.  The  Society  has  a  house  one 
hundred  feet  square,  extending  through  from  Nassau-street 
to  Theatre  alley,  with  a  court  in  the  centre.  In  this  build- 
ing  are  the  offices  of  the  Corresponding  Secretary,  the 
Financial  Secretary  and  the  General  Agent. 

Over  one  thousand  Bibles  are  produced  here  every  day, 
and  429,090  were  printed  in  1845,  costing  §^166,652.  The 
Society  sell  <heir  books  at  cost,  and  give  away  very  many. 

This  institution  is  well  worth  visiting,  as  the  printing  ar- 
rangements are  on  a  very  large  scale,  and  the  whole  art  of 
book-making  may  be  seen  in  one  view. 

Officers:  President,  Wm.  P.  Buell,  M.  D.  ;  1st  Vice- 
President,  A.  Robertson  Walsh  ;  2d  do.,  G,  Buck,  jr. ; 
3d  do.,  Henry  Rowland  ;  4th  do.,  G.  A.  Titus  ;  5th  do., 
Thomas  Bond,  jr. ;  Gth  do.,  George  S.  Conover.  Corres- 
ponding Secretary,  E.  H.  Blatchford  ;  Recording  Secretary, 
J.  F.  Williams  ;  Treasurer,  George  H.  Williams. 

American  and  Foreifrn  Bible  Society,  {Baptist,)  350 
Broome. street. — S.  H.  Cone,  President;  Rufus  Babcock 
and  T.  Wallace,  Secretaries  ;  William  Colgate,  Vice-Pre- 
sident ;  I.  M.  Allen,  General  Agent. 

NeiO'  York  Bible  Society,  91  Wall  and  115  Nassau.street 
— John  Slosson,  President ;  E.  H.  Blatchford,  T.  Bond,  Jr., 
Secretaries  ;  G.  H.  Williams,  Treasurer ;  L.  P.  Hubbard, 
Agent, 

City  Bible  Society,  (Baptist,)  350  Broome-street— W.  H. 
Wyckoff,  President  ;  G.  N.  Bleecker  and  Lewis  Colby, 
Secretaries;  Samuel  Raynor,  Treasurer. 

Neiv.  York  Bible  and  Common  Prayer  Book  Society,  20 
John-street— ReY.  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  President ;  W.  H. 
Bell,  Secretary  ;  T.  C.Butler,  Treasurer  and  Agent. 

American  Tract  Society,  150  Nassau-street — T.  Fre- 


RELIGIOUS  INSTITUTIONS. 


39 


linghuysen,  President;  Wni.  A.  Hallock,  O.  Eastinan  and 
R.  S.  Cook,  Secretaries;  O.  R.  Kingsbury,  Assistant  Trea- 
surer. 

Protestant  Episcopal  Tract  Society^  20  John-street — 
Rev.  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  President;  Rey.  E.  N.  Mead  and 
D.  H.  Hoyt,  Secretaries  ;  T.  C.  Butler,  Treasurer. 

New-York  City  Tract  Society,  150  Nassau. street  

 ,  President ;  William  Walker,  Treasurer  ;  A.  R.  Wet- 
more  and  Rey.  Is^ac  Orchard,  Secretaries. 

American  Sabbath  Tract  Society,  9  Spruce-street — L. 
Crandall,  President ;  F.  W.  Stillman  and  P.  Stillman,  Sec. 
retaries  ;  T.  B.  Stillman,  Treasurer. 

American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions, 
is  situated  near  the  Brick  Church,  corner  of  Spruce  and 
Nassau  streets.  Theo.  Frelinghuysen,  President ;  W.  J. 
Armstrong,  Secretary. 

American  Home  Missionary  Society,  150  Nassau-street 
— Henry  Dvvight,  President ;  Rev.  Milton  Badger  and 
Rev.  Charles  Hall,  Secretaries  ;  Jasper  Corning,  Treasurer, 
and  H.  W.  Ripley,  Assistant. 

Home  Missionary  Society,  (Baptist,)  350  Broome-street 
— Friend  Humphre}'-  President ;  B.  M.  Hill,  David  Bellamy, 
Secretaries  ;  R.  W.  Marvin,  Treasurer. 

Missionary  Society,  (Methodist,)  200  Mulberry. street — 
Rev.  .1.  Soule,  President ;  Francis  Hall,  Secretary  ;  G. 
Lane,  Treasurer. 

New-York  and  Brooklyn  Foreign  j\Iissionary  Society — 
Pelatiah  Perit,  President;  Rev.  W.  Adams  and  A.  Merwin, 
Secretaries  ;  J.  W.  Tracy,  Treasurer. 

Presbyterian  Board  of  Foreign  Missions,  23  Centre, 
street — Samuel  Miller,  President ;  Walter  Lovvrie,  Secre- 
tary ;  Daniel  Wells,  Treasurer. 

Presbyterian  Board  of  Domestic  Missions,  23  Centre- 


40  PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


Street — Ashbel  Green,  President ;  W.  A.  McDowell,  Sec 
retary  ;  Thomas  Hoge,  Treasurer. 

Protestant  Episcopal  General  Missionary  Foreign  Com. 
mittee,  281  Broadway — Rev.  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  President ; 
Rev.  P.  P.  Irving,  Secretary  and  General  Agent  ;  Dr.  J. 
Smyth  Rogers,  Treasurer. 

Protestant  Episcopal  General  Missionary  Domestic  Com. 
mittee^  281  Broadway — Rev.  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  President ; 
Rev.  N.  S.  Harris,  Secretary  and  General  Agent  j  T.  N. 
Stanford,  Treasurer. 

Protestant  Episcopal  City  Missionary  Society — Rev.  B. 
T.  Onderdonk,  President ;  W.  Mulligan,  Secretary  ;  Lewis 
Phillips,  Treasurer. 

Protestant  Episcopal  Diocesan  Society  for  the  Promotion 
of  Religion  and  Learning — Rev.  B.  T.  Onderdonk,  Presi- 
dent ;  William  H.  Harrison,  Secretary ;  J.  F.  De  Peyster, 
Treasurer. 

Foreign  Evangelical  Society^  36  Park  Row — A.  B.  Has- 
brouck.  President ;  E.  N.  Sautel,  GurdonBuck  and  Robert 
Baird,  Secretaries  ;  William  W.  Chester,  Treasurer. 

American  Protestant  Society,  143  Nassau-street — Rev. 
Gardner  Spring,  President ;  Rev.  H.  Norton  and  G.  K. 
Moore,  Secretaries  ;  Mortimer  De  Motte,  Treasurer. 

Central  American  Education  Society,  36  Park  Row — J. 
C.  Hornblower,  President ;  Rev.  Eliakim  Phelps,  Secreta- 
ry  ;  W.  A.  Booth,  Treasurer. 

Presbyterian  Board  of  Education,  23  Centre-street — 
Alexander  Henry,  President ;  M.  B.  Hope,  Secretary  ;  J. 
R.  Mitchell,  Treasurer. 

American  Anti-Slavery  Society,  143  Nassau-street — 
William  Lloyd  Garrison,  President ;  Maria  W.  Chapman 
and  Wendell  Phillips,  of  Boston,  Secretaries;  Francis 
Jackson,  Treasurer. 


EELIGIOUS  I.\STITUTIONS.  41 


Foreign  and  American  A  nti-Slazery  Society^  122  Pearl- 
street — A.  Tappan,  President;  L.  Tappan,  Secretary; 
William  Shotvveil,  Treasurer. 

New-York  State  Colonization  Society — Office  in  the 
Brick  Church  Chapel.  A.  G.  Phelps,  Pr-esident :  Rev.  G. 
Spring,  Vice-President;  Rev.  D.  L.  Carroll,  Secretary; 
Moses  Allen,  Treasurer. 

American  Society  for  Meliorating  the  Condition  of  the 
Jeics,  23  Nassau-sireet — Rev.  Phillip  Milledoler,  Presi- 
dent; Rev.  John  Lillie,  Secretary  for  Domestic  Cor- 
respondence ;  Rev.  John  Proudfit,  Secretary  for  Foreign 
Correspondence;  A.  M.  Burrill,  Recording  Secretary; 
Thomas  Bussing,  Treasurer. 

American  Seaman's  Friend  Society,  91  Wall-street — 
Edward  Richardson,  President  ;  John  Spaulding  and  T. 
Hale,  Secretaries;  C.N.  Talbot,  Treasurer. 

New-York  Marine  Bible  Society,  91  Wall-street — Hugh 
Aikman,  President  ;  William  Poole  and  L.  P.  Hubbard, 
Secretaries  ;  William  WoodhuU,  Treasurer. 

American  Sunday  School  Union,  152  Nassau-street — 
J.  C.  Meeks  and  R.  B.  Camfield,  Agents. 

New-York  Sunday  School  Union,  152  Nassau-street — 
Isaac  Ferris,  President ;  N.  N.  Halsted,  Secretary  ;  Jona- 
than Leavitt,  Treasurer ;  J.  C.  Meeks,  Agent. 

Protestant  Episcopal  General  Sunday  School  Union,  20 
John-street — Rev.  A.  Ten  Broeck,  Secretary;  T.  W. 
Mitchell,  Treasurer  ;  Daniel  Dana,  jr.,  Agent. 

New-York  City  Sunday  School  Society,  (Methodist,)  200 
Mulbf-rry-street — S.  A.  Purdy,  President ;  Wm.  Truslow, 
J.  F.  Truslow  and  Walter  Keeler,  Secretaries  ;  J.  W.  Rum- 
sey.  Treasurer. 

Sunday  School  Union,  (Methodist,)  200  Mulberry-street 
—Rev.  J.  Soule,  President ;  Wm.  Truslow,  Rev.  D.  P.  Kid- 
der, Secretaries ;  Wm.  Morgan,  Treasurer. 


4* 


42  PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


American  Temperance  JJnion.^  148  Nassau-street — R. 
Hide  Walworth,  President ;  Rev.  John  Marsh,  Secretary 
and  General  Agent ;  Jasper  Corning,  Treasurer. 

Female  Moral  Reform  Society^  36  Park  Row — Mrs.  C. 
W.  Hawkins,  President ;  Mrs.  S.  R.  Ingraham,  Secretary  ; 
Mrs.  Jane  Beatty,  Treasurer. 

New-York  Sacred  Music  Society — Established  in  1823. 
Officers :  L.  B.  Wyman,  President ;  G.  E.  Vanderberg,  W. 
A.  Tyler,  Vice-Presidents ;  H.  R.  Yenne,  Secretary ;  J. 
P.  Perkins,  Treasurer ;  George  Whitlock,  Librarian ;  U. 
C.  Hill,  Conductor. 


BENEVOLENT  INSTITUTIONS. 

NEW.  YORK  HOSPITAL. 

This  institution,  located  in  Broadway,  between  Duane 
and  Anthony  streets,  was  founded  in  1771,  by  the, Earl  of 
Dunmore,  at  that  time  Governor  of  the  Colony.  The  in- 
stitution has  an  annual  revenue  from  various  sources  of 
about  $68,000,  the  larger  portion  of  which  is  annually 
expended.  There  are  three  large  hospital  buildings,  fitted 
up  in  excellent  style,  for  the  accommodation  of  patients. 
Patients  can  have  the  best  of  medical  attendance,  and  the 
convenience  of  nursing  and  medicine  for  three  dollars  a 
week.  Respectable  persons  without  families  will  find  this 
a  very  desirable  asylum  during  sickness.  Patients  can  have 
single  rooms  if  they  desire  them.  It  is  quite  common  for 
physicians,  who  know  the  advantages  of  this  Hospital,  to 
resort  to  it  when  sick  themselves.  In  cases  of  sudden  ac- 
cidents, patients  are  received  here,  and  their  wants  imme. 
diately  attended  to.  Medical  students  are  permitted  to  go 
the  rounds  with  the  attending  surgeons  for  the  annual  fee 
of  eight  dollars.  Annual  lectures  are  given  by  all  the  at. 
tending  physicians  and  surgeons.  The  buildings  will  ac- 
commodate  over  300  patients.  Application  for  admission 
must  be  mnie  at  the  office  within  the  Hospital.  There  are 
ten  attending  and  consulting  physicians  and  surgeons. 


BENEVOLENT  INSTITUTIONS. 


43 


THE  BLOOMINGDALE  ASYLUM  FOR  THE  INSANE, 

Is  a  branch  of  the  New- York  Hospital,  and,  through  a 
delegated  Committee  of  six  of  their  number,  is  under  the 
general  control  of  the  Board  of  Governors  of  that  insti- 
tution. It  is  situated  near  the  Bloomingdale  road,  seven 
miles  from  the  City-Hall,  upon  an  elevated  and  beautiful 
site,  half  a  mile  from  the  Hudson  river.  This  situation, 
though  perhaps  not  apparently  so,  is,  after  Fort  Washing- 
ton, the  highest  point  of  the  island. 

The  approach  to  the  Asylum  from  the  southern  entrance, 
by  the  stranger  who  associates  the  most  sombre  scenes 
with  a  lunatic  hospital,  is  highly  pleasing.  The  sudden 
opening  of  the  view,  the  extent  of  the  grounds,  the  various 
avenues  gracefully  winding  through  so  large  a  lawn  ;  the 
cedar  hedges,  the  fir,  and  other  ornamental  trees,  tasteful, 
ly  distributed  or  grouped,  the  variety  of  shrubbery  and 
flowers ;  in  fine,  the  assemblage  of  so  many  objects  to 
please  the  eye,  and  relieve  the  melancholy  mind  from  its 
sad  musings,  strike  him  as  one  of  the  most  successful  and 
useful  instances  of  landscape  gardening. 

There  is,  indeed,  no  private  residence  or  public  estab- 
lishment in  the  vicinity  of  the  city,  which  for  beauty  of 
situation,  or  exercise  f  taste  in  the  distribution  of  grounds, 
can  compare  with  it 

The  principal  building,  which  is  constructed  of  hewn 
stone,  is  two  hundred  and  eleven  feet  long,  sixty  feet 
wide,  and  three  stories  in  height,  exclusive  of  basement 
and  attic.  There  are  two  other  buildings,  each  standing 
at  right  angles  with  the  principal  edifice.  These  are  each 
three  stories  in  height,  sixty  feet  in  length,  and  forty  in 
width. 

The  modern  greatly  improved  and  humane  system  of 
treating  the  insane  has  been  fully  introduced  into  this  in- 
stitution. The  patients  have  well  furnished  apartments, 
and  eat  at  tables  set  in  the  usual  manner  in  private  fami- 
lies.  They  walk  out,  with  attendants,  and  many  of  them 
ride,  daily,  in  a  carriage  devoted  to  their  use.  They  amuse 
themselves  with  ten-pins,  quoits,  bagatelle,  chess,  chequers 


44 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


and  other  games.  Many  of  them  work,  the  men  on  the 
farm  or  about  the  premises,  and  the  women  with  their 
needles.  Many  of  them  are  instructed  in  a  school  which 
is  kept  in  the  Asylum,  and  by  lectures  upon  scientific  and 
miscellaneous  subjects. 

It  is  not  customary  for  strangers  to  visit  the  apartments 
of  the  patients,  both  to  avoid  excitement,  and  as  a  matter 
of  courtesy  towards  those  whose  friends  are  placed  here 
for  restoration.  The  centra]  building,  however,  is  always 
open  to  visitors,  and  the  view  from  the  top  of  it,  being  the 
most  extensive  and  beautiful  of  any  in  the  vicinity  of  the 
city,  is  well  worthy  of  their  attention. 

The  Asylum  went  into  operation  in  June,  1821  ;  since 
which  time  more  than  three  thousand  patients  have  been 
admitted.  The  number  now  in  the  institution  is  one  hun- 
dred and  twenty-two. 

OFFICERS. 

Asylvm  Committee. 
Stephen  Alien,  No.  1  Washington  Square. 
Richard  M.  Lawrence,  No.  7  VVooster-street. 
Augustus  Fleming,  No.  10  Bond  " 
James  Lovett,  No.  12  Third  " 
James  J.  Jones,  No.  5  Washington  Place. 
Wm.  M.  Halsted,  No.  31  Nassau-street. 
Physician. — Phny  Earle,  M.  D. 
Warden. — George  W.  Endicott. 

Application  for  tne  admission  of  patients,  if  by  letter, 
should  be  addressed  to  the  Physician  ;  if  otherwisCj  they 
should  be  made  to  one  of  the  members  of  the  Asylum 
Committee. 

NEW-YORK  QUARANTINE  HOSPITAL. 

This  institution  is  located  on  Staten  Island,  and  was  es- 
tablished by  act  of  Legislature  in  1821.  Boats  leave  the 
city  every  hour  for  the  Island,  where  they  land  very  near 
'he  Hospital.  This  institution  is  appropriated  for  the  re- 
ception of  patients  who  have  landed  from  vessels  from 
foreign. ports,  particularly  those  afflicted  with  contagious 


BEXEVOLEXT  INSTITUTIONS.  45 


diseases.  Henry  Van  Hovenburgh,  Health  Officer  ;  Alex, 
ander  F.  Vache,  Resident  Physician  ;  Stephen  R.  Harris, 
Health  Commissioner  and  Treasurer. 

Lying.in-Hospilal — For  destitute  females,  is  situated 
at  85  Marion-street. 

Marine  Society — Capt.  Chas.  H.  Marshall,  President ; 
William  Thompson,  J-  J.  Dickinson,  Vice-Presidents ; 
James  Copland,  Treasurer ;  Henry  Russell,  Secretary. 

Mariners*  Family  Industrial  Society. — The  object  of 
this  Society  is  to  furnish  employment  at  a  fair  remunera- 
tion, for  the  female  members  of  the  families  of  seamen, 
and  to  relieve  the  wants  of  such  families  as  are  incapable 
of  labour.  A  clothing  store  has  been  opened  at  325  Pearl- 
street,  where  may  be  found  an  assortment  of  garments  for 
seamen  and  others.  Officers :  Mrs.  C.  W.  Hawkins,  1st 
Directress;  Miss  M.  Vale,  2d  do.;  Mrs.  T.  0.  Taylor, 
Treasurer ;  Mrs.  C.  Tracy,  Secretary. 

American  Shipwreck  Society,  office,  Hall  of  American 
Institute,  west  v;ing  Xew  City-Hall.  James  Depeyster 
Ogden,  President. 

The  British  Protective  Emigrant  Society,  of  Xew-  York — 
Established  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  emigrants  from 
being  cheated  and  imposed  'pon,  will  furnish  them,  free 
of  any  charge,  with  every  advice  and  information  relative 
to  routes,  expenses  ot  travelling,  and  all  matters  of  impor- 
tance to  them,  on  applying  at  the  office  of  the  Society,  14 
Pine-street,  near  the  Custom-House.  C.  H.  Webb,  Super- 
intendent ;  Geo.  Wilkie,  Active  Agent. 

Irish  Emigrant  Society,  6  Ann-street — T.  W.  Clerke, 
President ;  G.  Dillon,  Jos.  Stuart,  Vice-Presidents  ;  James 
Reyburn,  Treasurer ;  J.  T.  Doyle,  M.  J.  O'Connor,  Sec- 
retaries. 

Welsh  Benevolent  Society  of  the  City  of  New-York — 
Evan  Griffith,  President;  Enoch  Morgan,' Treasurer  ;  G. 
W.  Griffith,  Corresponding  Secretary.    The  objects  of 


46 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


this  Society  are  the  advising  and  protecting  Welsh  emi- 
grants from  the  frauds  and  knavery  of  emigrant  sw^indlers, 
who  abound  in  the  city,  and  who  are  unrelenting  in  their 
exactions  from  the  poor  emigrants.  This  is  a  very  active 
and  useful  society,  and  demands  cordial  support.  Apply 
to  the  British  Protective  Emigrant  Society,  14  Pine-street, 
for  information. 

NEW- YORK  DISPENSARY, 

Situated  in  White-street,  corner  of  Centre-street,  esta- 
blished in  1790,  for  the  purpose  of  relieving  such  sick, 
poor  and  indigent  persons,  as  are  unable  to  procure  medi- 
cal aid." 

NORTHERN  DISPENSARY, 

Situated  in  Christopher-street,  corner  of  Sixth-street, 
founded  in  1829. 

EASTERN  DISPENSARY, 

Situated  in  Ludlow-street,  corner  of  Essex  Market 
Place,  founded  in  1834. 

NEW. YORK    INSTITUTION  FOR  THE  INSTRUCTION  OF  THE  DEAF 
AND  DUMB. 

This  institution  commenced  operations  under  its  char- 
ter, by  opening  a  school  for  the  reception  of  pupils  on  the 
12th  day  of  May,  1818.  Until  the  spring  of  1829,  the 
school  was  held  in  the  building  now  called  the  New  City- 
Hall.  At  that  time  the  pupils  were  transferred  to  a  large 
building  erected  for  the  purposes  of  the  Institution,  on 
Fiftieth-street  and  the  Fourth  Avenue,  three  and  a  half 
miles  from  the  City-Hall.  Communication  between  the 
Institution  and  the  city  is  rendered  very  easy  by  the  cars 
which  pass  on  the  Harlffim  Rail-Road,  (Fourth  Avenue,) 
every  fifteen  or  twenty  minutes  in  both  directions. 

The  principal  building  occupied  for  the  purposes  of  the 
Institution,  is  one  hundred  and  ten  feet  by  sixty,  in  the  di- 
mensions of  its  plan,  and  five  stories  in  height,  including 
the  basement.  It  accommodates  about  160  patients,  and 
the  teachers,  the  family  of  the  Principal,  and  such  other 


BENEVOLENT  INSTITUTIONS. 


47 


persons  as  are  needed  to  assist  in  conducting  the  affairs  of 
the  estabhshment. 

This  Institution  has  been  well  sustained  by  appropria- 
tions made  by  the  Legislature  of  the  State,  by  the  Corpo- 
rations of  the  City,  and  by  private  munificence. 

There  are  usually  at  the  Asylum  about  160  pupils,  who 
are  taught  most  of  the  useful  branches  of  education,  and 
some  of  them  are  instructed  in  trades,  such  as  shoemaking, 
tailoring,  cabinet  making,  bookbinding  and  gardening.  At 
the  date  of  the  last  report,  (Dec.  1844,)  the  number  of 
pupils  was  168,  (96  males  and  72  females,)  of  whom  128 
were  supported  by  the  State  of  New- York,  13  by  the 
Corporation  of  the  City,  three  by  the  State  of  New- 
Jersey,  one  by  the  County  of  St.  Lawrence,  11  by  their 
friends,  and  12  by  the  Institution.  The  charge  for  a  pupil 
is  ^130  per  year,  including  all  expenses,  except  clothing 
and  travelling  expenses. 

The  Principal  of  the  Institution  is  Mr.  Harvey  P.  Peet, 
who  is  assisted  by  a  number  of  competent  professors  and 
others.  The  government  and  management  of  the  general 
concerns  are  vested  in  a  Board  of  Directors ;  of  the  late 
Board,  the  President,  Rev.  Doctor  Milnor,  and  one  of  the 
Vice-Presidents,  Robert  C.  Cornell,  Esq.,  are  recently  de- 
ceased. 

Prosper  M.  Wetm  '"*e  and  Harvey  P.  Peet,  Vice-PresHs. 
Robert  D.  Weeks,  Treasurer. 

INSTITUTION  FOR  THE  BLIND, 

Is  located  on  Ninth  Averue,  near  Thirty-third-street, 
where  are  32  lots  of  land  presented  to  the  Institution  by 
James  Boorman,  Esq.  The  Legislature,  in  1839,  appropri- 
ated $15,000  towards  the  erection  of  the  buildings,  besides 
which,  considerable  donations  have  been  made  by  individ- 
uals. The  pupils  are  taught  the  usual  branches  of  English 
education.  There  is  a  manufacturing  department,  where 
they  learn  basket  making,  weaving,  band-box  work,  and 
other  similar  work.  There  are  usually  about  60  pupils  at 
the  Institution.  OJicers  :  A.  G.  Phelps,  President ;  Isaac 
Wood,  Vice-President ;  S.  Brown,  Treasurer  ,  E.  Jones, 


48  PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


Corresponding  Secretary  ;  G.  F.  Allen,  Recording  Secre- 
tary ;  J.  W.  G.  Clements,  Physician  ;  Isaac  Wood  and  J. 
C.  Bliss,  Consulting  Physicians  ;  J.  Kearney  Rodgers,  Con- 
sulting Surgeon. 

The  building  is  built  of  granite,  in  the  Gothic  style, 
and  is  one  of  the  most  imposing  structures  in  the  city. 
Admission  to  see  the  pupils,  twice  a  week,  may  be  had,  on 
apphcation  to  any  of  the  officers.  It  is  much  resort- 
ed to  by  those  interested  in  such  institutions.  The  en- 
graving  we  give  in  another  part  of  this  book,  presents  a 
very  accurate  view  of  the  building. 

Asylum  for  Respectable  Aged  Indigent  Females. — This 
institution  is  situated  in  20th  street,  near  the  Second  Ave- 
nue.  Aged  and  indigent  ladies  find  in  this  truly  benevo- 
lent institution  a  grateful  asylum  for  their  declining  years. 
We  are  glad  to  learn  that  its  managers  are  getting  great 
encouragement  for  its  permanent  success. 

Magdalen  Female  Benevolent  Asylum. — This  institu- 
tion is  situated  between  Eighty.eighth  and  Eighty-ninth 
streets,  west  of  the  Harlsem  Rail-Road.  Officers:  Mrs. 
George  Warner,  1st  Directress ;  Mrs.  Thomas  Hastings, 
2d  Directress  ;  Mrs.  Dr.  Pierson,  Treasurer ;  Mrs.  S.  Van 
Antwerp,  Corresponding  Secretary  ;  Mrs.  J.  Clibborn,  Re- 
cording Secretary  ;  Rev.  C.  C.  Darling,  Chaplain.  Can  be 
visited  any  day. 

New-  York  Orphan  Asylum — Is  situated  at  Blooming- 
dale,  near  Eightieth-street,  about  five  miles  from  the  City. 
Hall,  and  is  a  handsome  building,  120  by  60  feet,  connect- 
ed with  nine  acres  of  ground.  It  is  of  stone,  plastered  in 
imitation  of  yellow  marble.  It  overlooks  the  Hudson  river, 
and  is  deUghtfuUy  situated,  being  surrounded  with  trees  and 
cultivated  grounds.  It  was  instituted  in  1806.  The  pre- 
sent number  of  male  and  female  orphans  at  the  Asylum  is 
about  200.  Till  quite  recently  the  inmates  of  this  asylum 
have  been  subject  to  a  great  deal  of  sickness,  owing  to  its 
contiguity  to  the  foul  air  generated  in  Potter's  Field.  The 
Potter's  Field  has  been  recently  removed.    The  Asylum 


BENEVOLENT  INSTITUTIONS. 


49 


can  be  visited  at  any  time,  and  great  numbers  resort  to  it 
to  see  the  pupils. 

Leake  and  WatVs  Orphan  Asylum — Is  situated  near 
One  Hundredth-street,  between  the  Fourth  and  Fifth  Ave- 
nues. 

Protestant  Half-Orphan  As^ylum — Male  and  Female, 
Sixth  Avenue,  between  Tenth  and  Eleventh  streets. 

Boman  Catholic  Orphan  Asylum — Is  situated  in  Prince- 
street,  corner  of  Mott-street,  and  is  conducted  by  the  Sis- 
ters of  Charity.    They  have  250  orphans  under  their  care. 

Roman  Catholic  Half-Orphan  Asylum — Eleventh-street, 
near  Seventh  Avenue. 

Coloured  Orphan  Asylum, — This  institution  is  situated  in 
Twelfth-street,  near  the  lower  Reservoir,  between  Ave- 
nues Fifth  and  Sixth.  It  has  a  large  and  commodious  build- 
ing, and  is  in  a  flourishing  condition. 

Prison  Association  of  New-York^  corner  of  Pine  and 
Nassau  streets — Established  for  the  amelioration  of  the 
condition  of  prisoners,  the  imj^rovement  of  prison  disci- 
pline, the  government  of  prisons,  and  the  encouragement 
of  reformed  convicts  after  their  discharge,  by  assisting  them 
in  obtaining  an  honest  livelihood. 

A  subscription  of  §25  constitutes  a  member  for  life. 

Tiiere  is  a  female  department,  consisting  of  such  as  take 
an  interest  in  the  objects  of  the  society.  Officers:  Hon. 
William  T.  McCoun,  President ;  Isaac  T.  Hopper,  Gene- 
ral Agent. 

Neic-York  Vaccine  Institute,  369  Broome  and  20  Third, 
street — John  C.  Beales,  President ;  James  Weir,  Record- 
ing Secretary. 

New. England  Society — ^I.  H.  Grinnell,  President ;  T. 
Fessenden,  Simeon  Draper,  jr.,  Vice-Presidents  ;  A.  G. 
Hazard,  Treasurer  ;  A.  A.  Weeks,  Secretary. 

Ancient  Britons^  Benefit  Society — W.  J.  Ormson,  Pre- 
sident ;  David  Roberts,  Vice-President ;  Wm.  Lewis,  Secre- 
tary. 


5 


50  PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


St.  Andrew^ s  Society — Richard  Irvin,  President;  J.  J. 
Palmer,  Adam  Norrie,  Vice-Presidents;  Andrew  Mitchell, 
Treasurer;  John  Campbell,  Secretary;  J.  T.  Ferguson, 
Physician. 

St.  David's  Benevolent  Society  of  New-York  and  Brook- 
lyn— David  C.  Golden,  President;  H.  P.  Edwards,  M. 
Morgans,  jr.,  Vice-President. 

»S^.  George'' s  Society  of  New-York — W.  D.  Cuthbertson, 
President;  Henry  Jessop,  Septimus  Crookes,  Vice-Presi- 
dents;  Robert  Bage,  Treasurer ;  Henry  Owen,  James  She- 
ward,  Secretaries. 

St.  Nicholas'  Society — J.  R.  Manly,  President  ;  Peter 
Schermerhorn,  W.  J.  Van  Wagenen,  A.  R.  Lawrence,  Og- 
den  Hoffman,  Vice-Presidents;  F.  De  Peyster,  Treasurer; 
S.  G.  Raymond,  Secretary. 

Hebrew  Benevolent  Society — M.  M.  Noah,  President ; 
S.  Dreyfous,  Vice-President ;  John  Levy,  Treasurer  ;  Henry 
Goldsmith,  Secretary. 

Hibernian  Universal  Benevolent  Society,  42  Prince- 
street — John  Farrigan,  President;  Farrel  Lunn^y,  Vice- 
President ;  John  Heaney,  Treasurer;  James  McGuire, 
Corresponding  Secretary ;  Francis  O'Rielley,  Recording 
Secretary. 


LITERARY  INSTITUTIONS. 

NEW- YORK  SOCIETY  LIBRARY. 

A  conspicuous  and  beautiful  edifice,  of  the  ionic  order,  of 
brown  freestone,  fronting  on  Broadway  and  Leonard-street. 

This  institution  is  the  most  ancient  in  the  city,  and  is 
co-eval  in  its  origin  with  the  English  government  of  the 
colony,  having  been  founded  in  the  year  1700,  under  the 
administration  of  the  Earl  of  Bellamont,  then  governor. 
The  New- York  Society  Library,  established  in  1754,  with 
the  view  of  aiding  and  extending  the  objects  of  King's 
(now  Columbia)  College,  founded  at  that  time,  was  en- 


NEW  YORK  Society  library, 
Comer  of  Broadway  nnd  Leonard  Street. 


INSTITUTIONS. 


51 


grafted  on  the  old  City  Library,  a  name,  by  which,  in  com- 
mon parlance,  it  is  still  known.  During  the  revolutionary 
war,  the  books  being  deposited  in  the  old  City-Hall  in 
Broad-street,  were  scattered  and  lost.  Tradition  affirms 
that  they  were  carried  off  by  the  British  soldiers  and  bar- 
tered for  grog.  On  the  restoration  of  peace  the  Library 
was  re-established,  and  continued  for  a  long  lime  to  occupy 
a  sphere  of  quiet  and  unobtrusive  usefulness  in  a  building 
of  considerable  architectural  taste,  for  that  period,  erected 
by  the  society  in  Nassau-street,  opposite  to  the  Middle 
Dutch  Church,  now  used  as  the  Post  Office. 

In  1838  and  '39  the  society  erected  the  present  edifice 
in  Broadway,  at  an  expense,  including  the  ground,  of 
$120,000.  The  building  throughout  is  constructed  in  the 
most  thorough  manner,  and  its  apartments  are  unsurpassed 
for  architectural  beauty  by  any  in  the  United  States. 

The  collection  of  books,  selected  with  great  care,  con- 
sists of  the  most  important  works  for  general  reading,  and 
reference  in  every  departmen*.  of  literature,  science  and 
the  arts.  Constant  accessions  are  made  ;  during  the  last 
year  there  have  been  added  2,000  volumes,  many  imported 
from  London,  Paris,  &c.,  where  the  society  has  agents. 
The  reading  and  news  room  is  a  large  and  airy  apartment, 
open  from  8  in  the  morning  till  10  in  the  evening,  and  is 
provided  with  various  newspapers  and  periodicals,  afford- 
ing a  most  agreeable  resort  to  subscribers.  Besides  the 
library  and  reading  room,  one  is  appropriated  to  study  and 
reference,  and  another  to  conversation. 

The  privileofes  of  this  noble  institution  may  be  secured 
for  the  moderate  sum  of  §25,  with  an  annual  payment  of 
§6,  or  $100  without  the  annual  payments,  and  the  shares 
are  transferable  like  other  property.  Members  may  intro- 
duce strangers  to  the  use  of  the  reading  room,  and  reference 
to  the  books  of  the  library.  Persons  not  members  may 
take  out  such  books  as  are  loaned,  by  leaving  a  deposit. 
1  A  lecture  room,  admirably  adapted  to  scientific  and 
other  lectures,  is,  from  the  conspicuous  and  central  posi- 
tion of  the  building,  in  considerable  demand. 

The  objects  of  the  institution  are  too  obvious  and  im- 


52 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


portant  to  require  further  explanation.  No  good  citizen 
will  be  without  the  privileges  of  a  public  library.  The 
stranger  will  find  the  Society  Library  well  worthy  of  a 
visit,  and  an  agreeable  resort  during  his  sojourn. 

The  annual  income  of  the  society  is  about  $9,000  ; 
one  half  of  which  is  derived  from  the  annual  payments  of 
the  members,  the  other  half  from  the  rents  of  the  building, 
sale  of  new  shares,  &c.  About  ,*§3.000  are  appropriated 
annually  to  the  purchase  of  books  and  periodicals,  the 
balance  to  the  extinguishment  of  debt,  incidental  ex- 
penses, 

MERCANTILE  LIBRARY  ASSOCIATION. 

This  society  is  located  in  the  Clinton  Hall  building, 
in  Beekman,  corner  of  Nassau-street.  It  possesses  a 
library,  reading  room,  lecture  room,  cabinet  of  minerals, 
&c.  It  was  originally  established  for  the  express  benefit 
of  clerks,  but  of  late  it  has  been  thrown  open  to  all  who 
will  pay  for  the  privilege.  The  library,  in  which  all  the 
departments  of  science  and  general  literature  are  well  re- 
presented, contains  at  this  time  23,000  volumes.  It  is 
peculiarly  rich  in  periodical  literature.  Its  collection  in 
this  department  is  probably  superior  to  any  other  institu- 
tion in  this  country.  The  reading  room  is  supplied  with 
a  very  extensive  variety  of  foreign  and  American  periodi- 
cals and  newspapers.  The  number  of  members  at  the 
present  time  is  1,891.  Clerks  pay  one  dollar  initiation 
fee,  and  two  dollars  a  year  thereafter,  which  entitles  them 
to  the  use  of  the  reading  room  and  library.  Merchants  hold 
honorary  membership,  and  pay  five  dollars  a  year.  Other 
citizens  have  the  privileges  of  the  library  and  reading  room 
for  five  dollars  a  year. 

LYCEUM  OF  NATURAL  HISTORY. 

This  is  a  flourishing  and  vigorous  association  of  scien- 
tific men,  for  the  promotion  and  study  of  natural  history 
in  all  its  branches  ;  and  for  the  furtherance  of  these  purposes 
stated  meetings  are  held  for  conversation  and  lectures.  It 
was  incorporated  in  1818,  and  a  room  appropriated  for  their 


LITERARY  IxNSTITUTIONS.  53 


meetings,  by  the  city  government,  in  the  building  in  the 
rear  of  ihe  City-Hall.  It  was  afterwards  removed  to  a  build- 
ing  in  Broadway,  built  for  the  purpose  ;  but  it  has  recently 
been  removed  again  to  a  large  and  commodious  hall  in  the 
second  story  of  the  University  Medical  School,  (formerly 
Stuyvesant  Institute.)  The  institution  possesses  a  large 
library,  and  an  extensive  cabinet  of  minerals,  shells,  plants, 
and  other  specimens  in  natural  history.  Meetings  are 
held  every  Monday  evening  throughout  the  year — free 
to  strangers  as  well  as  members.  I'he  museum  may  be 
visited  gratuitously  by  application  at  the  building. 

Officers:  Joseph  Delafield,  President;  Jno.  A.  Smith, 
Abraham  Halsey,  Vice-Presidents  ;  J.  H.  Redfield,  Corres- 
ponding Secretary ;  R.  H.  Browne,  Secretary ;  J.  P. 
Giraud,  jr.,  Treasurer. 

NEW-YORK  LYCEUM. 

Established  in  1838,  for  tho  purpose  of  diffusing  useful 
knowledire,  by  means  of  lectures,  a  library  and  reading 
room.  During  the  winter  season,  evening  lectures  are  de- 
livered at  the  Tabernacle  by  distinguished  scientific  and 
literary  men,  invited  by  the  Society,  trom  different  parts  of 
the  Union,  to  which  the  members  and  the  public  generally 
are  admitted,  on  payment  of  asmall  sum  for  the  course,  or 
for  each  lecture.  The  library  and  reading  rooms  are  at  the 
corner  of  Broadway  J.nd  Lispenard-street. 

Isaac  T.  Smith,  President ;  George  S.  Stitt,  Vice-Presi- 
dent; John  L.  Salisbury,  Treasurer  ;  Albert  G.  Zabriskie, 
Corresponding  Secretary  ;  Lewis  G.  Forman,  Recording 
Secretary. 

NEW.YORK  LAW  INSTITUTE. 
(Established  1S28.  Incorporated  1830.) 
The  Library,  which  is  kept  in  the  City-Hall,  contains 
about  3,500  volumes  of  select  law  books,  including  nearly 
the  whole  series  of  English  and  American  Reports.  The 
initiation  fees  are  $*20,  and  annual  dues  §10.  Members 
of  the  bar  from  abroad,  and  the  judges  of  the  courts,  are 
entitled  to  the  free  use  of  the  Library. 

Samuel  Jones,  L.  L.  D.,  President ;  John  Anthon,  Ge- 
— 


54  PICTURE  OF  NEW-TOKK. 


rardus  Clark,  James  W.  Gerard,  Vice-Presidents  ;  Joshua 
Coit,  Treasurer ;  Alex.  H.  Dana,  Secretary  ;  Lewis  H. 
Sandford,  Librarian. 

NEW.yORK  HISTORICAL  SOCIETY. 

This  able  and  efficient  association  have  their  rooms  in 
the  University  Building.  They  have  a  library  of  12,000 
volumes,  and  a  large  collection  of  coins  and  medals.  Its 
library  is  open  during  each  day.  Albert  Gallatin,  Presi- 
dent ;  Luther  Bradish  and  Thos.  De  Witt,  Vice-Presidents ; 
J.  R.  Bartlett,  Foreign  Corresponding  Secretary;  John 
Jay,  Domestic  Corresponding  Secretary ;  G.  Gibbs,  Li- 
brarian. 

apprentices'  library. 
This  library  occupies  a  large  and  commodious  building 
at  32  Crosby-street.  It  contains  12,000  volumes,  for  the 
exclusive  use  of  apprentices.  Eighteen  hundred  young 
mechanics  avail  themselves  of  the  facilities  of  this  valuable 
institution. 

ethnolo&ical  society, 

Formed  in  1842,  for  the  purpose  of  inquiring  into  An- 
tiquities, History,  Languages,  Geography,  &c. 

Albert  Gallatin,  President ;  Edward  Robinson,  Henry 
R.  Schoolcraft,  Vice-Presidents  ;  John  R.  Bartlett,  Corres- 
ponding Secretary  ;  A.  W.  Bradford,  Recording  Secretary 
and  Treasurer. 

Mechanics'  and  Tradesmen's  Society  and  School^  32 
Croshy-street — J.  A.  Westervelt,  President. 


THEOLOGICAL  INSTITUTIONS. 
Union  Theological  Seminary. — This  Institution,  founded 
in  1836,  is  located  in  University  Place,  between  Sixth  and 
Eighth  streets,  near  Washington  Square.  The  principal 
edifice  contains  four  large  and  commodious  lecture  rooms,  a 
chapel,  library  and  study  rooms,  besides  four  large  furnish- 
ed rooms  for  the  accommodation  of  the  students.  It  has  six 
professors,  and  generally  about  100  students.  The  hbrary 
contains  over  16,000  volumes.  R.  T.  Haines,  President. 


MEDICAL  INSTITUTIONS. 


55 


THEOLOGICAL  SEMINARY. 

The  General  Theological  Seminary  of  the  Episcopal 
Church,  is  situated  in  Twentieth.street,  corner  of  Ninth 
Avenue,  near  the  Hudson,  two  miles  from  the  City-Hall. 
There  are  two  handsome  buildings  of  stone,  for  the  accom- 
modation of  professors  and  students.  Tiie  Board  of  Trustees 
consists  of  all  the  bishops,  and  one  trustee  from  each  dio- 
cese in  the  United  States.  The  institution  is  well  en- 
/  dowed  and  in  a  flourishing  condition. 


MEDICAL  INSTITUTIONS. 

UNIVERSITY  MEDICAL  SCHOOL. 

This  institution  occupies  the  building  formerly  known  as 
the  Stuyvesant  Institute,  a  splendid  granite  edifice,  in 
Broadway,  above  Bleecker-street.  The  front  is  construct- 
ed of  hewn  granite,  and  is  75  feet  long.  It  has  a  portico 
supported  by  four  splendid  granite  columns.  The  building 
in  its  present  state  cost  over  one  hundred  thousand  dollars. 
It  contains  three  very  spacious  lecture  rooms,  one  for  anato- 
my, one  for  chemistry,  and  one  for  general  purposes.  It 
has  also  an  extensive  reading  room  and  library.  The  New- 
York  Lyceum  have  deposited  their  cabinet  in  this  building. 

The  museum  and  apparatus  belong  chiefly  to  the  pro. 
fessors.    Their  value  is  about  ^30,000. 

The  number  of  stuL  'mts  at  the  last  Winter  Session  of 
1844-5,  was  378. 

The  Winter  Session  begins  on  the  last  Monday  of  Octo- 
ber, and  ends  on  the  last  day  in  February. 

Valentine  Mott,  M.  D.,  Prof  of  the  Principles  and  Ope- 
rations  of  Surgery,  with  Surgical  and  Pathological  Anatomy. 

Granville  Sharp  Patiison,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  General  De- 
scriptive and  Surgical  Anatomy. 

John  Revere,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  the  Theory  and  Practice 
of  Medicine. 

Martyn  Paine,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  Institutes  of  Medicine 
and  Materia  Medica. 

Gunning  S.  Bedford,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  Midwifery,  and  the 
Diseases  of  Women  and  Children. 


56 


PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


John  W.  Draper,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  Chemistry. 
William  Darlmg,  M.  D.,  Prosector  to  the  Professor  of 
Surgery. 

John  H.  Whitaker,  M.D.,  Demonstrator  of  Anatomy. 

COLLEGE  OF  PHYSICIANS  AND  SURGEONS. 

This  is  a  handsome  edifice,  situated  in  Crosby-slreet.  It 
was  founded  in  1807,  has  eight  professors  and  about  200  I 
students.  It  has  a  library  of  over  1,000  volumes.  Lectures 
commence  on  the  first  Monday  in  Novenjber,  and  continue 
about  four  months.  Attached  to  the  college  is  a  very  ex- 
tensive medical  museum  containing  avast  number  of  in- 
teresting objects.  It  may  be  visited  on  apphcation  to  the 
Janitor,  in  the  building. 

The  institution  is  governed  by  a  Board  of  Trustees, 
composed  of  physicians  and  other  citizens. 

Faculty. 

Alexander  H.  Stevens,  M.  D.,  President  and  Emeritus, 
Prof,  of  Surgery. 

Joseph  M.  Smith,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  Theory  and  Practice 
of  Medicine  and  Clinical  Medicine. 

John  B.  Beach,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  Materia  Medica  and 
Medical  Jurisprudence. 

John  Torrey,  M.  D.,  Prof,  of  Chemistry  and  Botany. 

Robert  Watts,  jr.,  M.  D.  Prof,  of  Anatomy  and  Physi- 
ology. 

Willard  Parker,  M.  D.  Prof  of  Principles  and  Practice 
cf  Surgery  and  Surgical  Anatomy. 

Chandler  R.  Oilman,  M.  D.,Prof  of  Obstetrics  and  Dis- 
eases of  Women  and  Children. 

Doctor  O.  A.  Sabine,  Demonstrator  of  Anatomy. 

Ourdon  Buck,  jr.,  M.  D.,  Registrar. 

The  whole  number  of  under  graduates  in  1844,  was  193. 

There  is  no  classification  of  students.  The  mode  of  in- 
struction  is  entirely  by  lectures. 

NEW-YORK  MEDICAL  SOCIETY, 

Meets  monthly  in  the  Court  Room,  Halls  of  Justice — E. 
Delafieid,  President;  Isaac  Wood,  Vice-President ;  B.  R. 


mecha:n-ic  en-stitutioxs. 


57 


Robson,  Treasurer ;  B.  Drake,  Corresponding  Secretary  ; 
W.  P.  Buel,  Recording  Secretary. 

COLLEGE  OF  PHARMACY. 

The  object  of  this  Institution  is  to  prevent,  as  far  as 
possible,  the  many  fatal  errors  in  the  preparation  of  medicine. 

Constantine  Adamson,  President ;  Oliver  Hull,  John 
Miihau,  George  D.  Coggeshall,  Vice-Presidents  ;  James  S. 
Aspinwall,  Treasurer  ;  John  Meakira,  Secretary. 


MECHANIC  INSTITUTIONS. 

AMERICAN*  INSTITUTE. 
(Incorporated  in  1329.) 

This  institution  was  established  for  the  purpose  of  en- 
couraging  domestic  industry  in  this  state  and  the  United 
States,  in  agriculture,  manufactures  and  the  arts,  by  be. 
stowing  rewards  and  other  benefits  on  those  who  shall 
make  any  improvements,  or  excel  in  any  of  the  above 
branches.  The  Institute  have  a  room  in  the  building  in  the 
Park  on  Chambers-street,  which  is  fitted  up  as  a  library, 
lecture  hall  and  exhibition  room.  The  library  is  extensive, 
and  particularly  rich  in  those  branches  relating  to  the  ob- 
jects of  the  institution.  A  large  collection  of  models,  ag- 
ricultural products,  &c.,  are  deposited  in  the  room,  which, 
together  with  the  '"brary,  are  open  to  the  public /ree  0/ 
expense,  at  all  seasonable  hours.  The  stranger  will  do 
well  to  visit  this  interesting  room.  In  connection  wnih 
the  Institute,  there  is  an  Annual  Fair  held  at  Niblo's  Gar- 
den, w^hich  is  visited  by  thirty  thousand  people.  A  cattle 
show  is  also  held  by  the  Institute  every  season. 

Officers:  James  Tallmadge,  President ;  A.  Chandler, 
Wm.  Inglis,  Shepherd  Knapp,  Vice-Presidents  ;  H.  Meigs, 
Recording  Secretary  ;  T.  B.  Wakeman,  Corresponding 
Secretary  ;  E.  T.  Backhouse,  Treasurer  ;  T.  B.  Wake- 
man,  Superintending  Agent. 

mechanics'  institute. 
This  Institute  has  for  its  object  the  instruction  of  me- 
chanics and  others  in  science  and  the  arts.    The  Institute 
1  


58 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


has  established  annual  courses  of  popular  lectures.  It  has 
an  excellent  library,  containing  about  twenty. five  hundred 
volumes,  together  with  a  reading  room,  supplied  with  popu- 
lar reviews,  literary  and  scientific  journals  and  newspapers  ; 
a  museum  of  models  of  machinery,  and  a  valuable  collection 
of  chemical  and  philosophical  apparatus.  A  male  school 
was  commenced  in  November,  lb38,  and  a  female  school 
in  May,  1839,  both  of  which  have  been  eminently  success- 
ful. Rooms  in  the  basement  of  the  City-Hall.  J.  J.  Mapes, 
President ;  Charles  L.  Barritt,  Actuary  and  Librarian. 


MERCANTILE  INSTITUTIONS. 

Chamber  of  Commerce — Instituted  1768  ;  incorporated 
1770,  reincorporated  1784.  Officers:  James  G.  King, 
President ;  H.  K.  Bogert,  Stewart  Brown,  Vice-Presidents  ; 
J.  J.  Palmer,  Treasurer ;  P.  M.  Wetm.ore,  Secretary  ;  Com. 
of  Arbitrnlion  :  Matthew  Maury,  Calvin  Durand,  Chas. 
King,  J  H.  Brower,  Robert  Kermit.  Pilot  Commissioners  : 
R.  S.  Taylor,  C.  H.  Marshall.  Annual  Election  :  1st  Tues- 
day in  May  ;  meetings  1st  Tuesday  in  each  month. 

New.York  Stock  and  Exchange  Board. — Officers  :  David 
Clarkson,  President;  Edward  Prime,  Vice-President;  J. 
W.  Bleecker,  Treasurer;  B.  Hart,  Secretary;  Meetings 
daily  at  the  Merchants'  Exchange. 

New-  York  Commercial  Exchange  Association. — Officers: 
Seixas  Nathan,  President ;  W.  Borrowe,  Vice-President ; 
S.  I.  Josephs,  Secretary  ;  W.  H.  Hayes,  Treasurer.  Daily 
(public)  meetings  in  the  Rotunda  of  Merchants'  Exchange. 

Merchants^  Vigilant  Association^  (organized  to  investi- ' 
gate  and  expose  abuses  in  irade,  to  prevent  frauds,  and 
punish  the  fraudulent.)    Officers:  Thomas  Tileston,  Pre- 
sident; T.  C.  Doremus,  Vice-President;  David  Wesson, 
Treasurer  ;  Woodward  &  Dusenbery,  Secretaries. 

Metropolitan  Association^  554  Broadway — Henry  Kid- 
dle, President;  J.  H.  Fanning,  V^ice-President ;  J.J.An- 
derson, T.  J.  Taylor,  Secretaries  ;  R.  H.  Cudlip,  Treasurer  ; 
L.  B.  Hardcastle,  Librarian. 


INSTITUTIONS. 


59 


Italian  Benevolent  Society — Felice  Argenti,  President ; 
Sebastiano  Dacorsi,  Treasurer;  C.  Ferrero,  Secretary. 

Independent  Order  of  Odd  Fellows^  Library  Association  : 
Rooms  at  31  Canal-street. 


PICTURE  GALLERIES  AND  INSTITUTIONS  OF 
THE  FINE  ARTS. 

AMERICAN  AKT-UNION, 

322  Broadway^  near  Pearl-street. 

Officers:  William  Cullen  Bryant,  President;  Ebenezer 
Piatt,  Treasurer  ;  Andrew  Warner,  Recording  Secretary  ; 
Robert  F.  Eraser,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

The  American  Art-LTnion,  now  in  the  sixth  year  of  its  ex. 
istence,  was  incorporated  by  the  Legislature  of  New-York, 
for  the  promotion  of  the  Fine  Arts  in  the  United  States. 
It  is  now  firmly  established  ;  its  income  the  past  year  ex- 
ceeded ten  thousand  dollars. 

Each  subscriber  of  five  dollars  becomes  a  member  of  the 
Art-Union  for  the  year.  The  money  ihus  obtained  (allow, 
ing  for  necessary  expenses)  is  apphed  first,  to  the  produc- 
tion of  a  fine  and  costly  engraving  from  a  choice  painting, 
of  which  every  member  receives  a  copy  ;  second,  to  the 
purchase  of  paintings  and  sculpture  by  native  or  resident 
artists,  which  are  p'jblicly  distributed  by  lot  amongst  the 
members  at  the  annual  meeting  in  December.  The 
works  of  art  distributed  in  this  manner,  in  1844,  numbered 
ninety-two,  (exclusive  of  the  engravings,)  and  cost  the 
Art-Union  nearly  seven  thousand  dollars. 

The  Room  or  Gallery  ot  the  Art-Union  is  hung  with 
paintings,  either  purchased  by  the  Institution  or  sent  there 
by  artists  to  the  superintendant  for  sale,  and  is  always 
open,  free  of  charge,  to  the  members  and  the  public  gene- 
rally. 

We  most  cordially  recommend  this  institution  to  the 
New- York  pubHc,  and  to  strangers  generally.  It  possesses 
very  strong  claims  to  patronage.  Some  of  the  best  pictures 
ever  painted  in  this  country  have  been  distributed  by  the 


60 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


Art.Union ;  and  as  a  promoter  of  the  interests  of  the  fine 
arts  in  America,  its  facilities  and  efforts  are  unequalled. 

Great  impartiality  in  the  selection  of  pictures,  and  faith- 
fulness in  disbursing  the  society's  money  have  been  hither- 
to practised  by  the  managers. 

Its  exhibition  rooms  are  very  interesting,  and  well  v^or- 
thy  of  the  attention  of  citizens  and  strangers. 

NATIONAL  ACADEMY  OF  DESIGN, 

In  Broadway^  corner  of  Leonard-sireef, 
An  association  of  young  men,  artists  and  amateurs, 
under  the  name  above  given,  organized  and  opened 
their  first  exhibition  on  the  first  of  May,  in  1826,  at 
the  corner  of  Reade-street  and  Broadway.  They  af- 
terwards occupied  successively  rooms  over  the  Arcade 
Baths  in  Chambers-street,  the  Clinton  Hall,  and  the  Society 
Library  building,  where  they  now  remain.  They  have  an 
exhibition  of  the  productions  of  none  but  living  artists,  and 
open  annually  during  the  months  of  April,  May  and  June. 
Their  present  accommodations  consists  of  several  large 
rooms,  elegantly  fitted  up  with  carpets,  mirrors  and  seats  ; 
and  from  the  pains  taken  to  make  it  attractive,  it  has  be- 
come a  very  fashionable  place  of  genteel  resort.  Nearly 
all  the  artists  in  the  United  States  annually  send  contribu- 
tions to  this  exhibition.  Admission  25  cents.  Season 
tickets  50  cents. 

Connected  with  the  institution  is  a  gratuitous  school  for 
drawing,  held  three  evenings  a  week  during  the  winter  sea- 
son.  The  Academy  has  a  very  valuable  collection  of  casts 
from  the  antique  and  modern  schools — which  are  used  by 
the  drawing  classes. 

Application  for  admission  to  the  school  must  be  made  to 
the  Council,  accompanied  with  an  original  drawing  made 
from  the  round.  Lectures  on  various  subjects  connected 
with  the  fine  arts  are  provided  for  by  the  laws  of  the  insti- 
tution— but  none  are  given — for  reasons  inextricably  in- 
volved in  the  mysteries  of  the  Council.  A  "life  school," 
for  drawing  from  the  living  figure,  is  also  in  successful  ope- 
ration. 


IXSTITUTIOXS.  61 


The  annual  election  for  officers  is  held  in  May.  Officers  : 
Henry  Inman,  President ;  A.  B.  Durand,  Vice-President. 

NEW-YORK  ART-RE- UNION, 

Instituted  in  1845,  by  a  number  of  artists  and  amateurs, 
for  mutual  instruction  and  the  promotion  of  the  fine  arts. 
Weekly  meetings  are  held,  when  the  objects  of  the  society 
are  carried  out  by  the  reading  of  essays  and  the  introduction 
of  specimens  and  discussions,  all  confined  to  subjects  con- 
nected with  the  arts.  The  association  is  in  a  flourishing 
condition,  and  promises  great  usefulness  for  the  future. 

It  numbers  among  its  members  some  of  the  most  talent- 
ed and  promising  artists  in  the  country.  E.  Ruggles,  M.  D., 
President ;  John  M.  Falconer,  Recording  Secretary  ;  John 
P.  Ridner,  Corresponding  Secretary. 

NEW-YORK  GALLERY  OF  THE  FINE  ARTS. 

This  institution  was  established  for  the  purpose  of  form, 
ing  a  permanent  gallery  of  paintings,  sculpture  and  engra- 
vings. The  society  commenced  by  purchasing  the  collection 
of  the  late  Luman  Read,  consisting  of  some  very  valuable 
paintings,  principally  by  American  artists.  About  fifteen 
thousand  dollars  were  raised  by  private  subscription,  some 
individuals  subscribing  as  high  as  one  thousand  dollars. 
This  sum  has  been  principally  expended  in  the  purchase  of 
the  above  collection,  and  the  fitting  up  of  the  old  Rotunda  in 
the  Park,  as  an  exhibition  room.  By  a  provision  in  the  con- 
stitution, no  proper;  '-  of  the  association  can  ever  be  sold, 
and  a  work  of  art  once  possessed  must  ever  remain  a  part 
of  the  permanent  gallery.  The  payment  of  one  dollar, 
and  the  subscription  of  the  constitution,  constitutes  the 
person  making  such  payme-n  a  member  for  life — and  for 
this  small  sum  he  is  entitled  to  free  admission  for  life — 
without  any  other  cost.  The  present  success  of  the  insti. 
tution  has  established  it  on  a  permanent  basis.  Among 
the  paintings  are  Cole's  celebrated  series  of  the  Voyage 
of  Life  ;  his  Course  of  Empire ;  a  picture  by  Morland,  and 
many  others  equally  valuable.  The  gallery  possesses  also 
a  rich  and  numerous  collection  of  Flag's  paintings.  Single 


6 


62  PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


admission  25  cents.  Strangers  will  find  this  collection 
worth  visiting. 

Jonathan  Sturges,  President;  F.  W.  Edmonds,  Vice- 
President;  Thomas  H.  Faile,  Treasurer ;  W.H.Johnson, 
Secretary. 

NEW-YORK  DRAWING  ACADEMY, 

Situated  at  No.  103  CanaLstreet. 

Drawing,  painting  and  perspective  are  here  taught 
and  illustrated  by  a  very  extensive  apparatus,  and  other 
unequalled  facilities.  Prof.  J.  R.  Smith  if:  celebrated  as 
one  of  the  most  successful  teachers  in  the  United  States; 
many  of  our  most  distinguished  artists  have  been  gradu- 
ates from  his  school.  Pictorial  anatomy,  lithography  and 
engraving  is  also  taught  in  this  institution.  Separate 
classes  for  ladies  and  gentlemen. 

Tuition,  $10  per  quarter. 


PLACES  OF  PUBLIC  AMUSEMENT. 

THEATRES. 

We  possess  but  slender  materials  for  describing  accu- 
rately  the  earliest  efforts  of  our  ancestors  at  t'^eatrical 
performances,  which  were  commenced  nearly  a  century 
ago  in  a  large  store  near  the  Old-slip,  on  a  place  called 
Cruger's  Wharf;  at  about  the  same  period,  by  the  way,  the 
first  regular  weekly  was  published  in  New-York,  called  the 
"  Weekly  Gazette."  The  accounts  before  us  do  not  repre- 
sent the  persons  engaged  in  the  undertaking  to  have  been 
either  very  serious  or  successful,  but  a  mere  party  of  frolick- 
some  young  men,  rather  desirous  of  gratifying  their  ov.  n 
love  of  mirth  and  frivolity,  than  of  founding  any  perma- 
nent  and  well  regulated  dramatic  establishment. 

About  the  year  one  thousand  seven  hundred  and  fifty,  a 
stone  theatre  was  built  in  Nassau-street,  in  the  rear  of  the 
Dutch  Church,  near  Maiden  Lane.  It  is  said  to  have  been 
quite  well  conducted  by  a  Mr.  Hallam,  who  principally,  by 
the  aid  of  players  from  the  Provincial  theatres  of  Great 
Britain,  performed  many  of  the  best  English  plays,  until 


PLACES  OF  AMUSEMENT. 


63 


the  manager,  either  from  want  of  encouragement  or  al. 
lured  by  more  lucrative  prospects  elsewhere,  withdrew  his 
company,  and  the  building  was  pulled  down. 

In  1770,  a  new  effort  was  made  by  a  Mr.  Miller,  in  a 
miserable  wooden  house  in  Beekman. street,  a  few  doors 
below  Nassau-street.  This  is  described  as  inferior  to  the 
other.  The  scenery  was  of  paper,  and  the  wardrobe  de- 
ficient both  in  quality  and  extent.  This  unfortunate  struc- 
ture was  so  far  from  being  supported,  that  the  public,  not 
satisfied  with  its  passing  to  its  fate  in  the  ordinary  course 
of  things,  assembled  one  day,  under  the  influence  of  some 
political  excitement,  and  tore  it  to  pieces. 

During  the  Revolutionary  war,  and  while  the  city  was 
in  possession  of  the  English,  the  drama  was  once  more  re. 
sorted  to  as'  a  source  of  amusement.  A  building  was 
erected  in  John-street,  and  plays  were  represented  by  the 
British  officers.  Among  the  pieces  here  performed  were 
several  of  a  satirical  character,  from  the  pen  of  Burgoyne. 
In  1783,  after  the  British  had  evacuated  the  city,  the  .John- 
street  theatre  fell  into  the  hands  of  a  regular  company, 
and  was  for  a  time  quite  successful. 

A  circumstance  occurred  at  this  period,  which  evinces 
the  disposition  of  our  forefathers  towards  theatrical  per- 
formances. The  winter  of  1785  was  unusually  severe, 
and  caused  extrem.e  suffering  among  the  poor.  The  mana- 
ger of  the  theatrical  corps,  ofi^ered  for  their  assistance  the 
proceeds  of  a  night,  amounting  to  one  hundred  pounds  ; 
the  ofTer  was  declined  by  the  Common  Council  on  the 
ground  that  theatrical  performances  had  an  immoral  ten- 
dency.   This  building  was  destroyed  by  fire  in  1799. 

PARK  THEATRE. 

The  Park  Theatre  was  commenced  in  1795,  during  the 
alarming  prevalence  of  the  yellow  fever  in  New-York.  It 
was  completed  in  1798,  at  which  time  a  petition  from  the 
proprietors  for  leave  to  erect  a  portico  over  the  side. walk 
was  rejected  by  the  Common  Council,  apparently  as 
unwilling  to  grant  as  to  receive  favours  from  a  dramatic 
corps. 


64  PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


The  cost  of  the  building  was  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
nine  thousand  dollars,  but  was  afterwards  purchased  at 
auction  for  fifty  thousand  dollars,  by  its  present  owners. 
It  v/as  opened  for  public  performances  in  1798,  under 
the  management  of  the  celebrated  Hodgkinson,  formerly 
of  the  John-street  theatre.  This  gentleman  must  have 
been  gifted  with  great  powers  as  an  actor,  from  the  strong 
and  universal  praise  bestowed  upon  him  by  those  familiar 
with  his  personations.  Since  his  death  the  theatre  has 
passed  under  the  direction  of  Dunlap,  Cooper,  Price, 
and  its  present  manager,  Simpson.  In  May,  1820,  late 
one  night  after  the  performance  of  the  evening,  the  build- 
ing was  discovered  to  be  on  fire.  We  are  not  aware 
that  the  original  cause  of  the  accident  is  known.  The 
interior  was  wholly  consumed,  but  the  walls,  which  are 
of  immense  thickness,  were  left  standing ;  their  height 
also  prevented  the  extension  of  the  conflagration,  and  a 
heavy  shower  came  very  opportunely  to  the  assistance  of 
the  firemen  in  the  preservation  of  the  surrounding  build- 
ins^.  Fortunately  this  calamity  was  attended  by  no  loss  of 
life.  No  one  who  witnessed  the  destruction  of  the  Park 
Theatre  can  ever  forget  the  grandeur  and  sublimitv  of  the 
spectacle.  The  sky  was  completely  obscured  with  clouds, 
and  shrouded  the  scene  in  impenetrable  gloom,  which 
greatly  heightened  the  intense  splendour  of  the  fire-light. 
The  flames,  ascending  to  the  height  of  several  hundred 
feet,  cast  a  glare  of  lurid  radiance  over  a  circle  of  many 
miles,  and  illuminated  the  city  with  vivid  brilliancy  and 
beauty.  Crowds  of  citizens,  lured  by  the  awful  grandeur 
of  the  sight,  thronged  by  thousands  to  the  spot. 

It  was  several  months  after  the  fire  before  the  proprietors 
rebuilt  the  edifice.  The  interior  was  much  improved  ; 
but  the  exterior  retained  its  unpromising  aspect.  It  was 
re-opened  in  August,  1821,  with  a  prize  address  from  the 
pen  of  Sprague. 

Brunei,  the  celebrated  planner  of  the  Thames  Tunnel, 
was  the  architect  of  this  theatre,  and  at  the  time  it  was 
erected,  the  New-Yorkers  regarded  it  as  a  masterpiece  of 
taste.    Its  unsightly  proportions  have  since  been  much 


PLACES  OF  AMUSEMENT. 


65 


ridiculed  ;  so  much  so  as  to  induce  the  manager  to  alter 
it,  by  adding  some  wood-work  pilasters  and  paint.  Its  ap- 
pearance has  been  very  much  improved  by  this  addition. 
The  Park  Theatre  was  for  many  years  surrounded  by  a 
collection  of  houses,  occupied  by  the  lowest  grade  of  hu- 
man beings.  It  has  now  somewhat  changed,  being  the 
centre  of  a  nucleus  of  eating-houses  and  gambling-shops. 
All  the  great  theatrical  stars  from  Europe  make  their  first 
appearance  here.  The  fact  of  coming  from  this  theatre 
stamps  them  at  once  with  character.  More  attention  is 
paid  to  the  detail  and  perfection  of  dramatic  performances 
in  the  Park  Theatre  than  in  any  other  house  in  the  United 
States.  It  has  a  collection  of  scenery  which  has  cost  over 
two  hundred  thousand  dollars — and  its  wardrobe  and  other 
stage  properties  are  very  extensive. 

Its  internal  plan  and  decorations  are  superior  to  any  other 
theatre  in  America,  There  are  three  tiers  of  boxes,  each  tier 
seating  450  persons.  Besides  the  boxes,  there  is  a  gallery 
for  coloured  people.  The  pit  sccvts  430,  and  the  gallery  500. 
The  whole  house,  when  full,  holds  2,500  persons,  which 
pays  the  manager,  at  the  present  prices,  §1,910  ;  but  many 
more  are  often  crowded  into  it.  The  house  is  187  feet 
deep,  and  76  wide.  It  is  now  owned  by  John  Jacob 
Astorand  the  heirs  of  J.  R.  Beekman.  Edward  Simpson 
is  the  lessee  and  manager.  Strangers  desirous  of  getting 
seats  on  crowded  nights,  will  do  well  to  secure  them  during 
the  day,  or  go  early  in  the  evening,  as  the  despicable  prac- 
tice of  selling  tickets  after  the  house  is  full  is  much  prac- 
tised at  this  theatre,  in  imitation  of  the  meaner  establish- 
ments about  town.  Prices  of  admission:  boxes  §1  ;  pit 
50  cents  ;  gallery  25  cents.  Private  boxes  can  be  had  by 
application  at  the  door. 

BOWERY  THEATRE, 

Bowery^  near  Chatham  Square. 
This  building  is  one  of  the  most  conspicuous  in  the  city. 
Three  theatres  have  been  built  and  burned  on  the  ground 
now  occupied  by  this  building.    The  first  stone  was  laid 
in  May,  1826,  with  great  pomp  and  ceremony,  by  Philip 


6* 


66  PICTURE  OF  XEW-YORK. 


Hone,  then  Mayor  of  the  city.  Jt  was  finished  and  deco- 
rated in  a  very  superior  style,  and  opened  for  theatrical 
representations  in  the  October  following.  The  manage- 
ment was  conducted  with  great  spirit,  and  its  popularity 
soon  became  so  great  that  the  manager  was  enabled  to  pay 
Signora  Garcia  the  enormous  sum  of  $600  a  night  for 
performing  in  the  Italian  and  English  opera. 

The  Bowery  Theatre  continued  to  increase  in  favour  and 
prosperity  until  the  evening  of  March  22d,  1829,  when, 
like  its  rival,  the  Park,  it  was  totally  consumed;  the 
conflagration  presenting  one  of  the  grandest  and  most  sub- 
lime spectacles  ever  witnessed  in  the  city. 

It  was  not  long,  however,  before  another  magnificent 
building  rose  in  renovated  splendour  from  its  ruins.  It  was 
designed  by  the  classical  taste  of  Mr.  Tourn,  from  the 
celebrated  Temple  of  Theseus,  at  Athens,  and  was  said  to 
be  the  finest  specimen  of  doric  archiiectnre  then  in  the 
United  States.  The  entablature  above  the  portico  was 
ornamented  with  a  boldly  executed  eagle,  in  bass-relief, 
richly  gilded,  which  had  a  noble  eflfect.  Many  eminent 
English  performers  have  made  their  debut  in  this  theatre. 
Messrs.  Holland,  Chapman,  De  Camp,  Pearmon,  and 
Misses  George  and  Rock ;  also  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Younge, 
with  many  others  ;  likewise  Mr.  Forrest,  an  American  per- 
former. 

The  present  building  is  rebuilt  from  the  ashes  of  one 
that  was  burnt  in  the  spring  of  1845.  It  is  of  the  same 
size  as  the  former  one,  but  with  superior  accommodations. 
It  is  the  largest  theatre  in  the  Union.  The  performances 
are  of  a  class  inferior  to  the  Park  Tiieatre,  and  is  never 
visited  by  the  higher  classes  of  New-Yorkers.  It  is  celebra- 
ted for  spectacles  and  patriotic  pieces,  sometimes  lavish- 
ing very  great  sums  in  getting  them  up.  The  stock  com. 
pany  is  vastly  inferior  to  that  of  the  Park  Theatre.  Prices 
of  admission  :  box,  50  cents  ;  second  and  third  tiers,  25 
cents  ;  pit,  12i  cents. 

MITCHELL'S  OLYMPIC  THEATRE. 

This  building  is  situated  in  Broadway,  just  below  Grand- 


PLACES  OF  AMUSEMENT. 


67 


Street.  The  present  building  was  converted  into  a  theatre 
in  1837,  by  Messrs.  Willard  and  Blake,  and  after  a  few 
months  of  unsuccessful  management,  failed.  For  the  two 
subsequent  years  it  was  under  the  management  of  seve- 
ral individuals,  but  was  unsuccessful. 

Mr.  Mitchell,  the  present  manager,  took  it  in  1839,  and 
by  untiring  industry  and  great  skill  and  tact,  he  has  con- 
verted it  into  the  most  popular  theatre  now  established  in 
New-York.  Mr.  Mitchell  has,  with  great  tact,  seized 
upon  local  incidents  and  prevaihng  follies,  and  moulded 
them  into  most  amusing  pieces.  This,  together  with  an 
unprecedented  succession  of  novelties,  has  won  for  its 
manager  most  unusual  success.  He  has  depended  more 
upon  the  excellence  of  his  stock  company,  and  the  general 
attention  to  stage  management,  than  to  the  fashionable 
system  of  starring.  All  the  Olympic  performances  are 
light  and  amusing,  calculated  to  excite  mirth  rather  than 
seriousness.  The  boxes  are  nightly  filled  with  a  very  re- 
spectable audience.  The  building  is  small,  but  neatly 
fitted  up.  The  prices  of  admission  are — 50  cents  to  the 
first  tier ;  25  cents  to  the  second  and  third,  and  12i  cents 
to  the  pit. 

NIBLO'S  GARDEN. 

This  very  popular  place  of  entertainment  is  situated  in 
Broadway,  corner  of  Prince-street.  The  grounds  of  this 
establishment,  which  occupy  nearly  a  whole  city  square, 
are  laid  out  with  great  taste,  and  ornamented  with  the 
rarest  of  native  and  exotic  plants.  Besides  the  theatre 
there  is  a  large  saloon,  for  concerts  and  refreshments,  and 
extensive  covered  walks,  the  \/hole  open,  during  the  sum- 
mer months,  to  the  outer  air.  The  theatre  is  elegantly 
fitted  up,  and  capable  of  seating  three  thousand  persons. 
It  has  been  for  several  years  in  most  successful  operation, 
commanding  large  and  very  fashionable  audiences.  It  is 
open  only  during  the  summer  months.  Very  expensive 
fireworks  are  occasionally  given  here,  and  add  much  to 
the  variety  of  entertainment.  Admission,  50  cents,  to  all 
parts  of  the  house. 


68  PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


CHATHAM  THEATRE. 

This  theatre  is  situated  in  Chatham-street,  nearRose- 
velt,  and  opposite  Mulberry-street.  It  has  been  very  suc- 
cessful under  its  present  management.  The  building  is 
about  half  as  large  as  the  Park  Theatre,  and  far  inferior  to 
it  in  beauty,  character  of  performance,  and  police  order. 
This  theatre  is  the  scene  of  the  performances  of  such 
actors  as  Hill,  Rice,  and  Booth,  since  his  palmy  days. 
Prices  of  admission  :  boxes,  25  cents  ;  pit,  12J  cents.  It 
is  managed  by  Messrs.  Duverna  &  De  Bar. 

RICHMOND  HILL  THEATRE. 

This  building  was  formerly  the  country  residence  of 
Aaron  Burr.  It  was  several  years  ago  converted  into  a 
theatre,  and  after  variable  success  was  modeled  into  a  ball 
room,  under  the  name  of  Tivoli  Saloon.  It  has  been  re- 
cently opened  for  a  theatre,  under  the  management  of 
Mr.  Draper,  and  promises  to  have  a  successful  career. 

VAUXHALL  GARDEN. 

Vauxhall  Garden  is  situated  in  the  Bowery,  between 
Fourth  and  Eighth  streets.  It  was  formerly  much  more 
extensive  than  it  is  now,  Lafayette  Place  havv.ig  been 
taken  from  its  grounds.  It  is  conducted  by  Bradford 
Jones,  and  devoted  to  theatrical  entertainments,  concerts, 
exhibitions  of  fireworks,  &c.  Prices  of  admission  vary, 
but  generally  are  about  25  cents. 

PALMO'S  OPERA  HOUSE 

Was  built  for  the  use  of  an  Italian  Opera  Company,  but 
that  failing,  it  has  since  been  devoted  to  various  kinds  of 
theatrical  entertainments.  It  is  a  small,  but  very  beautiful 
house.  It  is  situated  in  Chambers-street,  opposite  the 
Park.    Prices  of  admission  vary. 

AMERICAN  MUSEUM. 

This  institution  was  founded  in  1810,  by  the  late  John 
Scudder,  by  whose  arduous  efforts,  and  the  persevering 
exertions  of  its  more  recent  proprietor,  it  has  arisen  to  its 
present  state  of  popularity.  Scudder  commenced  his  ca- 
reer as  an  itinerant  organ-grinder,  and  during  his  wander- 


PLACES  OF  AMUSEMENT. 


69 


ings  he  collected  the  first  specimens  towards  the  present 
large  collection. 

This  museum  was  for  many  years,  during  his  manage- 
ment, almost  the  only  place  of  pubhc  amusement  in  the 
city.  It  is  situated  on  Broadway,  nearly  opposite  the 
Astor  House — a  very  convenient  place  for  all  classes  of  the 
public.  It  contains  several  large  halls,  each  over  a  hun- 
dred feet  in  length,  filled  with  curiosities  of  every  variety. 
The  museum  is  peculiarly  rich  in  natural  history.  It  has 
numerous  paintings,  a  mineralogical  cabinet,  and  a  multi- 
tude of  rare  curiosities,  well  worth  visiting.  In  addition 
to  this,  it  has  a  saloon  capable  of  seating  about  one  thou- 
sand persons,  which  is  fitted  with  a  stage  and  scenery, 
and  is  used  for  concerts,  dancing,  philosophical  experi- 
ments, and  a  variety  of  other  entertainments,  all  for  the 
sum  of  25  cents.  Persons  may  go  in  during  the  day,  ex- 
amine the  museum  at  their  leisure,  and  visit  the  saloon 
in  the  evening  without  additional  charge.  The  top  of  the 
museum,  fitted  up  as  a  garden  and  promenade,  commands 
a  fine  view  of  the  city. 

CASTLE  GARDEN 

Is  situated  on  a  mole,  connected  with  the  Battery  by  a 
bridge.  It  was  originally  erected  for  a  fortification,  and 
used  for  that  purpose  till  1823,  when  it  was  ceded  by  the 
United  States  to  this  ( -ty ;  since  which  it  has  been  leased 
for  a  place  of  public  amusement.  It  was  built  in  1807-8-9. 
Immense  sums  of  money  were  expended  on  its  erection, 
it  having  cost  the  government,  at  different  times,  several 
hundred  thousand  dollars.  The  felicitous  situation  of  this 
spot,  projecting  into  the  bay,  and  commanding  one  of  the 
finest  views  in  the  world,  causes  it  to  be  a  favourite  place 
of  resort  in  the  summer  months.  In  1824,  on  the  occa- 
sion of  the  visit  of  Gen.  Lafayette,  a  splendid  fete  and 
gala  were  given  to  him  at  Castle  Garden,  which  for  gran- 
deur,  expense  and  entire  effect,  were  never  before  wit- 
nessed  in  this  country.  The  building  has  lately  been 
altered,  by  the  addition  of  a  roof  and  outside  promenade, 
and  fitted  up  with  a  stage  for  concerts,  operas,  &c.  The 


70 


PICTURE  OF  NEW- YORK. 


effect  of  the  interior  is  very  grand,  it  being  by  far  the 
largest  audience  room  in  the  world.  It  will  easily  hold 
15,000  people,  being  over  six  hundred  feet  in  circum- 
ference. Admission  25  cents;  during  the  day,  12J  centa. 
Refreshments  always  ready. 


CROTON  AQUEDUCT. 

At  the  city  charter  election  in  1835,  it  was  voted  to  con- 
struct this  aqueduct,  the  vote  standing  11,367  in  favour, 
and  5,963  against  it.  It  was  then  estimated  to  cost  five  or 
six  millions  of  dollars.  It  has,  however,  cost  the  city  over 
twelve  millions.  It  was  commenced  in  1837,  and  its  com- 
pletion celebrated  on  the  14th  day  of  October,  1842.  It  is, 
perhaps,  the  noblest  work  of  the  kind  in  any  country,  not 
excepting  the  monuments  of  olden  times,  which  have  been 
for  ages  the  admiration  of  the  world.  By  its  facilities  we  are 
supplied  with  the  very  best  of  water  for  culinary  purposes, 
and  an  unfaihng  means  for  the  extinguishment  of  fires. 
Excluding  the  grand  reservoir,  which  is  five  miles  long, 
the  length  of  the  aqueduct,  from  the  upper  dam  to  the  dis- 
tributing reservoir  on  Murray  Hill,  is  40^  miles.  The  dam 
crosses  the  Croton  river  six  miles  from  its  mouth  on  the 
liudson.  This  dam  gives  an  elevation  to  the  water  of  166 
feet  above  the  mean  tide  in  the  Hudson  river.  From  this 
dam  the  aqueduct  runs  southerly  through  the  valley  of  the 
Hudson,  32  miles  to  the  edge  of  the  Harlaem  river  valley. 
The  whole  of  the  distance  is  one  continuous  underground 
canal,  of  stone  and  brick  masonry.  At  the  present  time, 
the  Harlaem  river  and  valley  is  crossed  by  iron  pipes,  but 
this  mode  will  soon  be  succeeded  by  a  bridge.  From  the 
Harlsem  river  the  conduit  of  masonry  is  resumed,  but  again  • 
interrupted  by  iron  pipes  in  the  Manhattan  valley.  It  finally 
reaches  the  great  receiving  reservoir  on  York  Hill,  about 
five  miles  from  the  City-Hall.  The  receiving  reservoir  in- 
cludes an  area  of  35  acres.  It  is  1,826  feet  long,  and  836 
feet  wide,  and  divided  by  a  cross  wall  into  two  separate 
apartments.  This  reservoir  is  constructed  of  immense  em- 
bankments of  solid  stone  masonry.    It  will  contain  20  feet 


CROTON  AQUEDrCT.  71 


I   depth  of  water  and  150,000,000   gallons.     From  the 
receiving  reservoir  the  aqueduct  is  continued  with  cast- 
iron  pipes,  two  miles  to  the  distributing  reservoir  at  Mur- 
ray Hill.    This  reservoir  contains  an  area  of  more  than 
four  acres,  and  is  '2,120  feet  square  ;  it  is  divided  into  two 
basins  by  a  partition  wall.    Its  enclosing  walls  have  an 
average  height  of  44 ^  feet.  It  is  three  miles  from  the  City- 
Hall.  It  is  constructed  of  solid  masonry,  with  hollow  wails, 
built  of  granite.   It  is  in  the  Egyptian  style  of  architecture, 
and  presents  a  very  imposing  appearance.    It  has  angular 
buttresses  projecting  from  the  wall,  and  elevated  several 
feet  above  the  main  building.    An  iron  railing  encloses  the 
walk  or  promenade  which  is  formed  on  the  top  of  the  walls. 
In  the  central  pilasters  are  doors  leading  to  the  pipe  cham- 
bers in  the  walls,  where  the  cocks  are  regulated.    On  the 
east  side  a  door  is  cut  and  stairs  constructed  within  the 
wall,  which  ascend  to  the  top.    The  reservoir  holds  30  feet 
!   depth  of  water,  with  its  surface  115  feet  above  mean  tide. 
I   The  basin  measures  20,000,000  of  gallons.    From  the  dis- 
1   tributing  reservoir  the  water  is  drawn  through  large  cast- 
I   iron  pipes,  which  lead  through  the  central  parts  of  the  city, 
and  from  which  the  distribution  of  water  is  made  by  small 
j   lateral  pipes,  diminishing  in  size  as  they  go  from  the  larger 
1   ones.    There  are  over  150  miles  of  these  pipes,  and  their 
I   length  is  daily  increasing.    The  country  for  most  of  the 
;   distance  traversed  by  the  aqueduct,  consists  of  a  series 
of  transverse  ridges  an^"  ravines,  mostly  made  up  of  roek, 
all  of  which  had  to  be  excavated,  tunnelled  or  embanked,  at 
an  enormous  expense.    There  are  16  tunnels,  varying  in 
length  from  100  to  over  1,000  feet  each.    There  are  114 
culverts  of  masonry,  varying  in  :  pan  from  li  feet  to  25  feet 
each,  crossing  many  large  streams,  principally  in  Wesi- 
Chester  county.    The  canal  is  built  of  stone,  brick  and  ce- 
ment, arched  over  and  under,  6  feet  3  inches  wide  at  the 
bottom,  7  feet  8  inches'at  the  top  of  the  side  walls,,  and  8-  feet 
5  inches  high  ;  has  a  descent  of  13i  inches  per  mile,  and 
will  discharge  60,000,000  of  gallons  in  24  hours.  The 
most  important  structure  is  the  high  bridge  over  the  Har- 
i  laem  river.   The  Harlsem  valley  is  a  quarter  of  a  mile  wide, 


72 


PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


and  the  river  620  feet;  and  the  whole  is  crossed  by  the 
bridge.  *'  There  are  eight  arches  over  the  river,  with  a 
span  of  80  feet  each,  springing  from  piers  20  feet  wide  at 
the  spring  line,  which  is  60  feet  above  the  surface  of  the 
river  at  high  water."  The  under  side  of  the  arches  are 
100  feet  from  the  river's  surface.  There  are  several  other 
arches  springing  from  the  ground,  of  50  feet  span  each. 
The  whole  structure  is  of  hewn  granite.  The  water  will 
cross  this  bridge  in  iron  pipes,  and  over  this  there  will  be  a 
carriage  way.  The  whole  will  cost  over  §900,000,  and 
will  probably  be  completed  in  1847. 

The  Croton  contains,  by  analysis,  about  five  grains  of 
solid  matter  to  the  gallon.  The  Schuylkill,  or  Fairmount 
water,  a  little  less.  The  introduction  of  the  Croton  water 
has  had  the  effect  of  reducing  the  rates  of  insurance  about 
40  cents  on  the  100  dollars.  The  facilities  for  extinguish, 
ing  fires  have  greatly  increased,  as  there  are  fire  hydrants 
at  short  intervals  all  over  the  city.  There  are  also  free 
hydran*'?  at  convenient  intervals  in  the  streets  for  public 
use.  Fire  plugs  are  not  suffered  to  be  opened,  except  by 
authority  of  certain  officers. 

By  the  annual  report  of  the  Croton  Aqueduc.  Board  for 
1845,  the  receipts  for  the  year  ending  the  30th  April,  1845, 
were  $118,582  74.  The  expenditures  during  the  same 
period,  S73,41 1  78.  The  increase  of  receipts  during  the 
present  year,  have  been  very  great.  It  is  calculated  that 
the  whole  revenue  for  the  last  year  will  be  about  $160,000, 
and  the  annual  increase  will  be  about  35  per  cent.  The 
whole  number  of  permits  issued  during  the  year  ending 
the  first  of  May,  1845,  was  9,110,  representing  9,582 
water-takers.  A  number  of  steam-boats,  houses,  &c., 
often  take  out  but  one  permit,  and  hence  the  above  dis. 
crepancy  between  water-takers  and  permits.  The  revenue 
is  derived  from  the  following  sources  :  7,171  private  dwell- 
ings, $72,123  88;  2,411  manufactories,  mechanical  and 
other  miscellaneous  sources,  $59,660  67. 

Office  of  the  Croton  Aqueduct  Board,  No.  7  New  City- 
Hall.  Board ;  James  A.  Cofhn,  President  ;  M.  Van 
Schaick,  Samuel  B.  Ruggles,  Harvey  Hunt,  Horatio  Allen. 


INSTITUTIONS. 


73 


PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 


The  Common  Schools  in  this  city  are  under  the  control 
of  the  Board  of  Education  and  the  Public  School  Society. 
The  Board  of  Education  is  composed  of  Commissioners 
elected  by  the  people  of  each  ward  agreeably  to  an  act  of 
the  Legislature,  passed  in  1842.  The  Public  School  So- 
ciety was  incorporated  in  1805,  and  has  for  many  years 
managed  the  affairs  of  the  principal  proportion  of  the  Com- 
mon Schools  of  the  city. 

According  to  a  recent  report  made  to  the  Board  of  Edu- 
cation, by  a  committee  of  the  Board,  the  average  number 
of  schools  reporting  to  them  for  the  past  year  was  as  fol- 
lows : 

Number  of  Public  Schools  subject  to  the  Public 

School  Society,   104 

Number  of  Ward  Schools  subject  to  Ward  Trus- 
tees,  42 

Number  of  Corporate  Schools,   21 


The  average  number  of  scholars  that  actually  attended 
the  several  schools  during  the  past  year,  compared  with 
1843,  is  as  follows  (excluding  fractions  :) 


Total, 


167 


1-344. 


1S43. 


IncfPase 
in  1S44. 


Public  Schools,  

Ward  Schools,  

Corporate  Schools, 


15,977 

6,806 
1,570 


15,938 
2,078 
1,450 


39 
4,728 
120 


Total, 


24,353 


19,466 


4,887 


The  increase  in  the  average  number  of  scholars  attend- 
ing  the  schools  during  the  year  1844  over  1843,  it  will  be 
seen,  is  4,887. 


74 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


MISCELLANEOUS  PLACES  WORTH  VISITING 
IN  NEW-YORK. 

ARSExNAL. 

Among  the  places  worth  visiting  in  this  city,  few  are 
more  interesting  than  the  State  Arsenal,  in  Centre-street, 
next  north  of  the  City  Prison.  It  occupies  the  site  of  the 
old  powder  magazine,  "built  in  the  woods,  far  out  of 
town,"  by  the  early  Dutch  settlers.  It  can  be  visited  at 
any  time  by  the  citizens  or  strangers.  Entrance  on  White- 
street,  by  a  small  door,  cut  in  the  wooden  fence  near  the 
main  entrance.  The  Arsenal  occupies  a  whole  square, 
and  consists  of  a  quadrangular  court,  surrounded  on  two 
of  its  sides  by  sheds,  covering  numerous  pieces  of  ord- 
nance, on  another  side  by  sheds  and  the  keeper's  dwell- 
ings, and  on  the  other  side  by  a  large  building,  two  stories 
high,  f  iled  with  a  vast  assembly  of  munitions  of  war. 
Over  one  hundred  thousand  stands  of  arms  are  here  arrang- 
ed  in  long  columns,  and  present  a  most  imposing  appear- 
ance. Swords,  pikes,  banners  and  various  trappings  of 
war  are  ranged  around  the  walls,  in  such  a  manner  as  to 
form  very  pleasing  figures.  But  by  far  the  most  interesting 
objects  are  the  various  trophies,  taken  from  the  English 
during  the  Revolution  and  the  late  war.  Numerous  field 
pieces,  mutilated  standards,  muskets  and  other  warlike 
trophies  are  exposed  to  view,  appropriately  labelled,  and 
carefully  preserved.  The  *'  trophy  room"  is  full  of  objects 
of  this  kind,  besides  many  other  objects  of  interest.  The 
stranger  may  wander  about  the  place  unmolested,  and  he 
will  be  amply  repaid  for  a  visit.  As  it  is  now,  the  Arsenal  ; 
is  very  poorly  protected,  being  surrounded  entirely  by  | 
simple  boarded  fences; ;  but,  thanks  to  the  liberal  and  j 
praiseworthy  efforts  of  Gen.  Storms,  its  able  commander,  | 
we  are  likely  soon  to  have  a  handsome  and  substantial  | 
building  in  place  of  the  insufficient  shanty  that  now  cum- 
bers the  place. 


PLACES  WORTH  VISITING. 


1 

75 


PACKET  SHIPS. 

The  packet  ships  are  generally  objects  of  interest  to 
the  stranger.  Splendid  packet  ships  are  always  to  be  found 
at  our  docks,  and  may  be  examined  at  all  times  without 
inconvenience.  Their  splendid  cabins,  vast  size  and  ex- 
quisite models,  excite  the  admiration  and  wonder  of  those 
unused  to  such  things.  Their  cabins  are  often  fitted  up  at 
a  vast  expense,  and  their  whole  build  and  finish  render 
them  superior  to  any  other  vessels  in  the  commercial  world. 

Among  the  finest  may  be  mentioned  the  Ashburton, 
Garrick,  Victoria,  Liverpool,  Queen  of  the  West,  York- 
shire, and  the  Henry  Clay. 

STEAM-SHIPS. 

The  Atlantic  steamers.  Great  Britain  and  Great  West- 
ern, dock  at  the  foot  of  Clinton-street,  East  river,  and 
may  be  visited  generally  by  requesting  a  written  permit 
of  their  agents. 

STEAM-BOATS. 

The  successful  establishment  of  steam-boats  in  this  state, 
by  Robert  Fulton,  in  1806,  was  one  of  the  most  important 
events  to  this  country,  and  to  the  world  at  large,  that  has 
ever  occurred-  Since  1806  there  have  been  at  least  five 
hundred  steam-boats,  of  every  description,  built  in  this  city. 
The  success  of  Fulton,  in  spite  of  the  opinions  of  his 
friends,  excited  the  bitierest  enmity  in  those  whose  inter- 
ests were  affected  and  disturbed;  but  this  was  soon 
silenced  by  strong  legislative  enactments  for  protection, 
and  the  powerful  voice  of  public  opinion.  A  company 
was  chartered,  with  exclusive  privileges,  for  the  purpose  of 
running  boa^s  on  the  Hudson  river,  for  a  limited  number  of 
years.  This  monopoly  became  extremely  lucrative,  and 
in  a  few  years  the  legality  of  the  charter  was  legally  con- 
tested, and  Fulton's  supposed  rights  overthrown  by  the 
United  States  Supreme  Court.  Immediately  after  this  de- 
cision a  superabundance  of  steam.boats  were  built,  and  the 
effect  of  opposition  was  manifested  in  the  reduction  of  the 
fare  from  eight  dollars  to  four,  and  even  two  dollars. 


76 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


Falton  did  not  live  to  see  this  disastrous  consummation. 
Our  limits  will  not  permit  of  a  minute  detail  of  the  inter- 
esting particulars  connected  with  the  rise  and  progress  of 
steam  navigation  in  New- York.  The  stranger  will  hardly 
be  satisfied  without  seeing  some  of  the  noble  specimens  of 
steam  architecture  which  abound  at  our  docks.  The 
North  river  boats  are  generally  more  elegantly  fitted  up, 
and  are  lighter  and  more  graceful  than  the  sound-steam- 
ers,  but  they  lack  the  appearance  of  strength  which  cha- 
racterizes the  latter.  The  steamers  Oregon,  IJendrick 
Hudson,  Empire  and  Knickerbocker,  are  the  finest  on  the 
Hudson.  The  three  first  are  more  than  a  sixteenth  of  a 
mile  long  each,  and  have  accommodations  for  nearly  a 
thousand  passengers.  They  are  fitted  up  in  most  superb 
style,  and  all  that  the  arts  of  gilding,  carpentery  and  fur- 
nishing can  do  to  make  them  perfect  specimens  of  naval 
architecture,  has  been  lavished  on  them.  The  Oregon 
cost  ninety  thousand  dollars,  and  has  attained  a  speed  of  j 
twenty-three  miles  an  hour.  There  is  but  little  difference  j 
between  the  Oregon  and  Hudson,  either  in  speed  or  j 
finish.  Of  the  sound  steamers,  the  Massachusetts  and  | 
Rhode  Island  stand  pre-eminent.  The  Massachusetts  is 
over  one  thousand  tons  burthen,  and  is  built  in  the  most 
substantial  and  elegant  manner.  The  sound  steamers' 
berths  are  on  the  North  river,  near  the  Battery.  The  North 
river  steam-boats  can  be  found  all  along  the  Hudson  river, 
from  the  Battery  to  Canal-street. 

SHIP-YARDS. 

The  extensive  ship-yards  in  the  northeast  part  of  the 
city,  in  the  region  called  Dry  Dock,  are  very  interesting 
places  of  resort.  Here  may  be  found  ships  of  the  largest  | 
class,  and  steamers  of  every  dimension,  in  progress,  and  a  1 
vast  variety  of  naval  operations,  rendering  it  a  scene  of 
infinite  variety  and  interest.  Extensive  machine  shops, 
for  steam  engines,  will  be  found  here  also. 

SECTIONAL  DOCK, 

Foot  of  Fike-sireet. 
This  interesting  machine  attracts  great  attention  from 


PLACES  WORTH  YISITING. 


77 


mechanics  and  merchants,  as  it  is  yet  something  of  a 
problem.  It  consists  of  a  series  of  tanks  or  vessels,  con- 
nected together  by  timber  frame-work,  which  may  be 
sunk  by  tilling  them  with  water,  and  floated  again  by 
pumping  them  dry.  In  the  process  of  lifiing  a  vessel,  the 
tanks  are  filled  and  sunk,  and  the  vessel  is  floated  over  the 
frame-work,  which  gradually  lifts  her  out  of  water,  as  the 
tanks  are  emptied  by  pumping  out  their  contents,  by 
means  of  a  steam  engine.  The  several  tanks  are  sufli- 
ciently  buoyant  to  lift  the  heaviest  vessel;  and  very  re- 
cently the  Great  Britain,  the  largest  hull  in  the  world,  was 
raised  far  enough  to  repair  her  propeller. 

Near  to  the  sectional  dock  there  is  another  on  a  diflerent 
plan.  The  vessel  is  raised  by  means  of  a  series  of  puUies, 
which,  coming  from  a  common  point  of  purchase,  diverge, 
and  are  attached  at  diflerent  points  along  the  length  of  a 
platform,  on  which  the  vessel  rests,  and  which  lifts  her  out 
of  water,  as  the  several  puUies  act.  The  pullies  are  acted 
upon  by  the  powerful  influence  of  a  hydraulic  pump. 

Still  another  plan  may  be  fouud  in  successful  operation 
at  the  ship.yards.  It  is  built  on  the  plan  of  an  inclined 
rail-way,  the  vessel  being  pulled  out  of  water  and  car- 
ried up  the  inclined  plane  on  a  carriage,  drawn  by  horse 
power.  This  plan  has  been  in  successful  operation  many 
years.  All  these  docks  are  competing  for  the  honour  of 
being  introduced  at  the  Navy  Yard,  at  Brooklyn. 

FORTS  iND  FORTIFICATIONS. 

The  national  government  has  not  been  unmindful  of 
fortifying  the  defences  of  this  important  city  and  harbour, 
and  during  the  last  twenty  years  enormous  expenses  have 
been,  and  still  continue  to  be  bestowed  upon  this  important 
subject.  Suflficient  has  been  done  to  render  the  city  safe 
from  sudden  attack  by  sea  or  land. 

The  principal  defence  consists  in  the  strong  works  at 
the  narrows.  On  the  right  this  entrance  is  commanded  by 
Fort  Hamilton  and  Fort  Lafayette.  Fort  Hamilton  is  situ- 
ated on  Long  Island,  and  is  a  very  complete  and  beautiful 
work.    It  protects  Fort  Lafayette,  which  stands  on  Hen- 


7* 


78 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


drick's  Reef,  two  hundred  yards  from  the  shore.  Fort 
Lafayette  has  three  tiers  of  guns,  and  is  a  very  strong  and 
efficient  protection  to  the  narrows.  It  has  a  very  pictu- 
resquc  and  castellated  appearance.  On  the  opposite  side 
this  passage  is  defended  by  Fort  Tompkins  and  Fort  Rich- 
mond. Fort  Tompkins  is  situated  on  Statcn  Island  height, 
and  has  under  its  protection  many  sea  coast  batteries, 
among  which  is  a  permanent  battery  on  the  beach,  called 
Fort  Richmond.  Fort  Tompkins  is  in  a  dilapidated  state, 
and  being  built  in  a  very  costly  manner,  it  now  presents, 
in  its  ruinous  state,  a  very  picturesque  appearance.  Its 
numerous  underground  passages,  which  are  very  exten- 
sive, and  the  splendid  prospect  enjoyed  from  its  castellated 
summit,  render  it  an  object  of  great  attraction.  It  is  about 
three  miles  from  the  quarantme  station.  All  these  forts 
may  be  visited  at  any  time. 

To  protect  the  inner  harbour  there  are  Forts  Colum- 
bus and  Castle  Williams,  on  Governor's  Island,  and  the 
works  on  Bedlow's  and  Ellis's  Islands,  which  unitedly 
mount  over  a  hundred  cannon,  of  the  largest  calibre.  Vast 
stores  of  ordnance  and  ammunition,  of  every  kind,  are  de- 
posited in  those  public  stores. 

Castle  Williams  is  a  circular  stone  battery,  six  hundred 
feet  in  circumference,  and  sixty  feet  high.  The  walls  are 
ten  feet  thick,  and  in  the  castle  are  barracks  and  maga- 
zines, and  two  curious  geometrical  stone  staircases,  leading 
from  the  lower  tier  to  the  terrace.  This  fort  forms  a  very 
picturesque  object  in  the  harbour. 

Fort  Columbus,  on  the  same  island,  is  built  in  the  star 
form,  consisting  of  several  batteries,  with  a  covered  way 
leading  to  Castle  Williams.  On  the  island  are  barracks, 
where  are  constantly  stationed  a  corps  of  United  States 
soldiers.  There  is  another  small  battery  on  the  island. 
Governor's  Island  was  formerly  covered  with  trees,  and 
nuts  were  obtained  from  it  for  tiie  early  inhabitants.  It 
was  afterwards  laid  out  in  gardens  for  the  English  govern- 
ors. It  may  now  be  visited  at  all  times  ;  row^-boats  belong- 
ing to  the  fort  are  constantly  plying  betw^een  the  island  and 


PLACES  WORTH  VISITIXC^. 


79 


Castle  Garden  bridge,  which  will  take  and  return  any  pas- 
senger who  is  desirous  of  seeing  the  forts. 

There  are  several  other  fortifications,  intended  for  the 
defence  of  the  city,  but  they  are  remote,  on  Long  Island 
sound, 

GRANT  THOREURN's  SEED  STORE. 

This  beautiful  establishment  is  fitted  up  with  great  taste, 
and  very  liberally  thrown  open  to  the  inspection  of  the 
public.  The  visiter  v/ill  here  find  at  all  times  a  choice 
collection  of  flowers  from  the  proprietor's  gardens,  and 
every  variety  of  seeds  and  plants,  often  of  great  rarity. 
Besides  these  attractions,  one  of  the  rooms  is  fitted  up  as 
a  picture  gallery,  and  some  of  the  choicest  pictures  and 
engravings  of  modern  times  adorn  its  walls.  This  store 
is  much  resorted  to  by  ladies,  and  is  open  at  all  hours  for 
the  visiters'  free  inspection.  It  is  situated  in  John-street, 
near  Broadway. 

TATTERS  i'.L'S. 

This  horse  market,  the  largest  in  the  United  States,  pre- 
sents a  very  hvely  scene  on  Mondays,  the  days  of  auction 
sales,  and  is  much  visited  by  strangers.  On  the  day  of 
sales,  the  extensive  area  of  the  building  is  filled  with  pur- 
chasers and  spectators. 

AGED  INDIGENT  FEMALES. 

This  praiseworthy  oociety  was  formed  in  1814,  by  a 
little  band  of  females,  and  it  kept  on  increasing  until 
1837-8,  when  they  built  an  asylum,  which  contains  sixty 
of  these  aged  females.  During  the  last  year  the  Society 
has  made  an  extension  to  the  o/iginal  building— a  substan- 
tial wing,  three  stories  high.  Of  the  present  inmates,  there 
are  ten  whose  ages  range  from  80  to  90  years,  and  one  of 
the  inmates  who  died  during  the  last  year,  was  within  a 
few  days  of  being  110  years  old.  In  addition  to  the  regu- 
lar  inmates  of  the  establishment,  the  Society  has  80  pen- 
sioners depending  upon  it,  who  receive  aid  in  their  own 
humble  dwellings.  In  looking  at  the  report  of  the  treas- 
urer, we  see  that  the  fands  of  the  Society  are  exhausted, 


80 


PICTURE  OF  NEW.YORK. 


and  that  in  addition  to  some  few  hundreds  of  dollars,  for 
which  the  Society  is  still  indebted  for  the  erection  of  the 
addition,  it  will  need  sufficient  to  carry  out  the  objects  of  I 
the  Society  for  the  coming  year.  We  need  hardly  say  that  , 
this  Society  has  the  strongest  claims  for  support,  and  that 
all  the  funds  which  are  needed  to  pay  off  the  claims  that 
are  outstanding  against  it,  and  what  may  be  necessary  for 
the  support  of  its  inmates,  ought  to  be  promptly  furnished. 
Donations  will  be  thankfully  received  by  any  one  of  the 
philanthropic  ladies  who  compose  the  Board  of  Manage- 
ment— their  names  being:  Mrs.  Mowatt,  1st  Directress, 
144  Greene-street ;  Mrs.  H.  Gillett,  2d  Directress,  20  Oliver 
street;  Miss  Maiia  Boyd,  Treasurer,  291  Fourth-street ; 
Miss  Maynard,  Secretary,  222  Vesey-street. 


EATING-HOUSES  IN  NEW-YORK. 

There  are  one  hundred  and  twenty-three  eating-houses 
o"  refectories  in  the  city  of  New-York.  Those  establish, 
ments  where  oysters  exclusively  are  kept  are  not  included 
in  this  number  ;  but  we  speak  of  those  places  0".ly  where 
breakfast,  dinner  and  tea  can  be  had  at  all  hours.  Of  this 
number  seventeen  are  in  Broadway,  fifteen  in  Nassau- 
street,  ten  in  Fulton-street,  seven  in  Catharinc-street,  six 
in  West-street,  six  in  Water-street,  four  in  Washington- 
street,  four  in  Vesey-street,  two  in  Chambers-street,  two 
in  Chatham-street,  two  in  South-street,  two  in  Canal- 
street,  two  in  Grand-street,  two  in  Spring-street.  There 
are  thirteen  in  Fulton  Market,  six  in  Washington  Market, 
and  the  remaining  twenty-three  are  scattered  in  various 
parts  of  the  city. 

These  establishments  give  employment  to  nearly  a  thou- 
sand persons,  of  whom  Irish  and  Germans  form  a  large 
portion.  The  waiters  are  paid,  the  men  from  ten  to  twelve 
dollars,  and  the  boys  from  six  to  seven  dollars  a  month, 
their  board  and  lodging  included.  The  cooks  get  about 
eight  and  ten,  and  the  scullions  or  dish-washers  about  four 
and  five  dollars  a  month.    In  some  of  these  eating-houses 


EATING-HOUSES.  81 


the  hands  are  kept  at  work  for  about  fifteen  and  sixteen 
hours  out  of  the  tvventy-four.  These  places  seldom  close 
before  one  and  two  o'clock  in  the  morning  ;  but,  as  a  gene- 
ral rule,  the  cheap  eating-houses  close  between  eight  and 
ten  in  the  evening.  We  present  the  following  brief  ac- 
count of  those  individuals  who  have  been  the  pioneer  ca- 
terers of  the  eating-houses  of  our  city. 

George  W.  Bkowne  started  his  celebrated  eating-house 
in  Water-strcet  about  twenty-six  years  ago.  It  is  now, 
and  always  has  been,  a  great  resort  for  the  merchants 
down  town. 

Stephen  Holt  commenced  an  eating  establishment 
about  twenty  years  ago  on  the  corner  of  Fulton  and  Wa- 
ter streets.  He  kept  what  is  called  a  "  Shilling  Plate  and 
Two  Shilling  Ordinary."  He  built  the  splendid  Hotel 
formerly  called  "  Holt's  Hotel,"  but  now  known  as  the 
"  United  States  Hotel."  Holt  has  latel}^  started  a  new 
eating-house  on  the  corner  of  I'ulton  and  Nassau  streets, 
up  stairs. 

Delmonico  opened  his  capacious  and  splendid  establish- 
ment on  the  corner  of  South  William  and  Beaver  streets, 
in  1827.  His  place  was  burnt  in  the  great  conflagration  of 
1835,  and  came  very  near  being  again  destroyed  during  the 
late  fire  of  July,  1845.  This  is  a  very  fashionable  resort 
for  the  French  and  Ge  'iians. 

Hugh  Pattinson  started  an  eating  establishment  about 
fifteen  years  since,  on  the  corner  of  Ann  and  Nassau 
streets,  now  occupied  by  Green  &  Mercer. 

Daniel  Sweexey,  whose  fame  has  extended  far  and  wide, 
and  who  is  looked  upon  as  the  father  of  the  cheap  eating 
establishments,  started  his  business  about  ten  years  ago  in 
Ann-street,  where  he  still  continues. 

Gosling  commenced  in  Fulton-street  about  six  years 
since.  He  remained  there  about  tsvo  years,  and  then  re- 
moved to  Nassau-street,  where  he  now  is.  His  is  an  Ameri- 
can  and  French  Restaurant.    It  is  an  immense  establish- 


82 


PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


ment.  He  dines  over  a  thousand  people  every  day.  Open 
Sundays.  The  establishment  is  on  the  cheap  plan.  The 
house  now  occupied  by  Gosling  was  formerly  the  German 
church. 

John  Florence,  Jr.,  opened  his  establishment  about  five 
years  ago,  next  door  to  the  corner  of  Park  Place  and 
Broadway.  Three  years  since  he  enlarged  his  place,  and 
fitted  it  up  in  the  most  magnificent  style.  He  is  doing  an 
immense  business  ;  and  his  place  is  the  resort  of  those  who 
delight  in  the  rarer  luxuries  of  life.  No  place  in  the  city 
is  so  celebrated  for  game. 

Ephraim  Sweeney  has  opened  an  establishment  in  Chat- 
ham-street,  near  Chambers. 

Thomas  Downing — at  the  mention  of  whose  name  one 
thinks  of  oysters  served  up  in  Downing^s  inimitable  style — 
opened  his  ancient  and  celebrated  establishment  about 
thirty  years  since  in  Broad-street.  His  establishment  in 
Broadw-iy  was  opened  about  three  years  ago.  He  has 
another  oyster  saloon  in  the  upper  part  of  Broadway. 
Downing  is  a  coloured  man,  and  has  realized  a  large  fortune 
in  his  business.  His  oyster  establishment  is  the  most 
popular  in  the  city. 

Alexander  Welsh,  more  familiarly  kiiown  as  *'  Sandy 
Welsh,"  has  in  his  day  occupied  quite  a  prominent  position 
among  those  who  are  fond  of  the  luxuries  of  the  table. 
Welsh  kept  a  popular  establishment  under  the  American 
Museum,  where  game  and  other  rarities  were  to  be  found 
in  abundance.  It  is  now  called  Terrapin  Lunch,  and  kept 
by  Peter  R.  Steile. 

There  are  two  principal  classes  of  eating  houses  in  New- 
York — the  cheap  and  the  dear.  At  Sweeney's  and  simi^ 
lar  establishments,  the  usual  prices  are  six  cents  for  a  plate 
of  meats,  and  three  cents  for  a  plate  of  vegetables.  The 
more  pretending  ask  twice  or  three  times  these  prices. 
Among  those  not  before  enumerated,  it  may  be  well  for 
the  stranger  to  name  Johnson's,  in  Fulton,  near  Broadway, 


PUBLIC  SQUARES. 


83 


Tammany  Hall,  Lovejoy's  Hotel,  Gunter's,  in  Fulton,  near 
Broadway,  Parker's  John-street  Coffee  House,  18  John- 
street,  and  Brown's,  51  Nassau-street. 


PUBLIC  SQUARES. 

BATTERY. 

This  is  the  most  delightful  promenade  in  the  city,  and 
one  of  the  finest  in  the  world.  The  view  from  this  spot 
embraces  the  whole  of  the  bay,  its  islands  and  fortifications, 
and  the  shore  of  New-Jersey.  The  intense  heat  of  sum- 
mer,  which  compels  most  people  to  keep  within  doors,  is 
here  moderated  by  the  fresh  sea  breezes  from  the  ocean 
below.  Originally  this  point  of  land  was  fortified  by  the 
Dutch,  who  threw  up  embankments,  upon  which  they 
placed  some  pieces  of  cannon.  In  process  of  time  it  be- 
came overgrown  wdth  grass,  and  lofty  sycamores,  and 
became  a  favourite  resort  of  the  old  burghers,  who  repaired 
to  its  grateful  shade  to  smoke  and  gossip.  It  became  the 
favourite  walk  of  declining  age  ;  the  healthful  resort  of  the 
feeble  invalid  ;  the  Sunday  refreshment  of  the  dusty  trades- 
man ;  the  scene  of  many  a  boyish  gambol,  the  comfort  of 
the  citizen,  and  the  pride  and  ornament  of  Manhattan. 
Some  years  since  the  city  government  expended  $150,000 
in  beautifying  the  ground — embanking  and  fencing  its 
front,  grading  its  walk  and  surrounding  it  with  costly 
iron  railing.  Originally  its  present  site  was  a  bristling 
mass  of  rocks,  but  this  appearance  has  long  since  vanished. 
The  Battery  is  in  the  form  of  a  crescent,  and  contains 
about  eleven  acres. 

THE  PARK 

Was,  in  early  times,  called  the  Commons^  being  then  un- 
appropriated ground  in  the  outskirts  of  the  city.  It  con- 
tains about  ten  acres  and  a  half.  Rows  of  trees  are  planted 
here,  and  on  many  places  in  the  Park,  which  is  interspers- 
ed with  walks,  that  aflford  a  cool  and  shady  retreat  in  sum- 
mer weather.  The  whole  is  surrounded  with  an  iron  rail- 
ing that  cost  the  city  $15,000.    It  contains  the  City-Hall, 


1 


84 


nCTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


Alms-House  buildings,  Rotunda  and  Hall  of  Records.  On 
the  Southend  there  is  a  marble  gateway,  beautifully  finish- 
ed, which  was  founded  with  great  pomp,  the  Mayor  pre- 
siding at  the  ceremonies,  and  depositing  in  one  of  the  vases 
various  coins,  papers  and  memorials  of  present  times. 
Two  of  the  stone  balls  surmounting  the  posts  were  pre- 
sented to  the  city  by  Com.  Perry,  they  having  come  into 
his  possession  as  gifts  from  the  Turkish  Government ; — 
they  are  used  by  the  Turks  as  cannon  balls. 

The  Park  contains  the  largest  fountain  in  the  city.  The 
basin  is  one  hundred  feet  in  diameter,  and  the  circumfer- 
ence is  sometimes  entirely  filled  by  the  various  jets  of  the 
*' Holiday  fountain."    The  machinery  of  the  fountain  is  so  ' 
arranged  as  to  supply  a  variety  of  forms  in  the  jets,  and  ! 
they  may  be  changed  in  a  few  minutes.    When  the  water 
is  thrown  up  in  a  single  stream,  it  ascends  to  the  height  of  i 
about  seventy  feet.    It  is  in  contemplation  to  ornamentthe  ! 
basin  with  marble  work,  statues,  &c.  I 

BOWLINa  GREEN. 

The  Bowling  Green,  at  the  southern  end  of  Broadway, 
occupies  ground  immediately  in  front  of  the  site  of  the  old 
Dutch  fort  and  church,  and  was  used  during  the  revolu- 
tion, by  the  British,  for  a  bowling  alley.  It  contained  be- 
fore the  revolution  a  leaden  equestrian  statue  of  George 
III,  w^hich  was  pulled  down  by  the  populace,  and  convert- 
ed  into  musket  balls.  It  contains  a  fountain,  built  at  the 
expense  of  the  owners  of  the  surrounding  property.  The 
fountain  emerges  from  an  uncouth  pile  of  stone,  which  was 
intended  to  have  a  rural  aspect,  but  does  not  have  the  de- 
sired eflfect.  In  the  summer  season  the  fountain  is  occa- 
sionally illuminated  with  coloured  lights,  which  gives  it  a 
magnificent  effect.  The  enclosure  is  now  made  to  hold 
some  dee-r,  geese  and  other  live  animals.  It  is  said  that 
the  balls  which  have  been  broken  off"  the  iron  fence  posts  | 
were  used  as  cannon  balls  during  the  last  war. 

HUDSON  SQUARE, 

Or  St.  John's  Park,  between  Beach,  Laight,  Varick  and 
Hudson  streets,  was  formerly  a  low  sandy  beach,  partly 


PUELIC  SQUARES. 


85 


covered  with  water  at  high  tide.    It  belongs  to  the  Vestry 
of  Trinity  Church,  but  has  been  reserved  as  a  permanent 
square.  It  is  accessible  to  the  people  in  its  neighbourhood, 
who  have  keys.     Any  person  may  hire  a  key  of  the 
keeper  for  a  small  annual  sum.    It  is  beautifully  laid  out 
!   with  walks,  shaded  with  a  lofty  growth  of  trees,  with  nu- 
I   merous  beds  of  rare  flowers,  and  surrounded  wiih  an  iron 
I   fence,  which  cost  §26,000.    It  contains  a  very  tasty  foun- 
i   tain,  and  is  by  far  ihc  most  beautiful  public  square  in  the 
city.    It  contains  about  four  acres  of  land. 

WASHING-TOX  SQUARE. 

Another  great  and  most  effective  ornament  to  the  city 
was  formed  by  laying  out  the  ground  formerly  occupied  as 
i   a  Potter's  Field.  The  bones  w^ere  collected  in  a  vast  trench, 
one  on  each  side  of  the  square,  which  were  enclosed  with 
I   fences,  and  planted  with  trees.    For  many  years  this  was 
1   used  for  burial  purposes,  and  it  is  computed  that  over  a 
i  hundred  thousand  bodies  have  been  buried  where  now  as- 
I  semble  for  pleasure  multitudes  of  living  beings.  The 
square  is  surrounded  with  splendid  private  houses,  and  on 
one  side  is  the  University  building  and  a  splendid  church. 
One  third  of  the  ground  comprising  the  square  was  pur- 
chased for  $80,000.  making  a  gross  value  of  $240,000  de- 
voted to  the  improvement  of  this  quarter  of  the  city.  The 
square  contains  a  little  over  nine  acres. 

I. "TON  PLACE 

Is  an  oval  enclosure  at  the  head  of  Broadway,  between 
Fourteenth  and  Seventeenth  streets.  It  is  enclosed  with 
an  iron  fence,  of  great  beauty  and  cost,  and  has  besides  a 
beautiful  fountain  with  ornamenial  jets. 

TOMPKIXS'  SQUARE, 

'    Which  is  used  for  a  parade  ground,  is  one  of  the  largest 
s  I  squares  in  the  city.    It  is  not  yet  much  frequented,  as  the 
trees  are  young,  and  the  place  not  finished.    It  is  between 
Avenue  A  and  B,  and  between  Sixth  and  Tenth  streets. 

Farther  up  the  city  are  other  public  squares,  viz  :  Madi- 
son square,  Hamilton  square,  and  others  not  yet  regulated. 


86 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


Bellevue  square  is  not  yet  fully  laid  out,  but  will  be  when 
finished  one  of  the  finest  in  the  city. 

NEW- YORK  AND  HARLEM  RAIL-ROAD. 

This  Company  was  incorporated  in  1831,  and  has  since 
been  so  amended,  that  its  capital,  originally  §350,000,  is 
now  $1,150,000.    The  road  cost  $1,159,323  66.  The 
route  traversed  by  this  road,  is  from  the  City-Hall,  through 
Centre. street,  Broome-street  and  the  Bowery,  twenty-seven 
mi)es,  to  White  Plains,  passing  through  Yorkville  and 
Harlsem.    The  receipts  of  the  road  from  January  Ist, 
1844,  to  January  1st,  1845,  amounted  to  $140,684  90  : 
from  January  1st,  1845,  to  November  Jst,  of  the  same  year, 
$133,548  01.    The  first  running  of  cars  on  this  road  was 
in  November,  1832,  when  they  travelled  no  farther  than 
Fourteenth-street.    The  road  has  gradually  lengthened 
from  that  time,  and  it  is  now  expected  that  it  will  soon 
reach  Albany,  through  the  inland  counties.    The  road  to 
Harlaem  is  laid  on  a  heavy  H  rail.    The  Tunnel,  (an  en- 
graving of  which  will  accompany  this  article,)  is  an  ex- 
cavation in  the  solid  rock,  a  quarter  of  a  mile  long,  hand- 
somely finished  at  both  ends,  and  approached  through  a  t 
long  deep  cut  of  more  than  a  mile  in  length.    It  is  one  of  i 
the  most  extensive  excavations  of  this  kind  in  the  world,  j 
and  is  much  visited  by  the  curious.    This  road  furnishes  | 
the  means  of  a  delightful  journey  into  the  country.    In  the  } 
spring  and  summer,  when  the  weather  is  favourable,  it  is  \ 
traversed  by  immense  numbers  of  New. York  citizens.  i 

Cars  leave  the  Depot,  City-Hall,  for  Twenty.seventh.  I 
street,  every  six  minutes,  from  half-past  seven,  A.  M.,  to  j 
eight,  P.  M.  Cars  leave  City.Hall,  (night  line)  every  | 
twenty  minutes,  from  eight  to  twelve.  Cars  leave  the  | 
City.Hall  every  hour  during  the  day  for  Harlaem,  and  re-  j 
turn  as  often.  Cars  leave  the  City-Hall  for  White  Plains 
at  half-past  seven,  and  half-past  ten,  A.  M.,  and  one,  and 
half.past  three,  P.  M. 

Fare  to  Twenty-seventh-street,  two  miles  and  a  half, 
6i  cents  ;  to  Receiving  Reservoir,  three  miles  and  a  quar» 
ter,  12|  cents  ;  to  Harlsem,  eight  miles,  12^  cents  ;  and  to 


MARKETS. 


87 


White  Plains,  twenty-seven  miles,  50  cents  ;  intermediate 
places  in  proportion.  Persons  desirous  of  visiting  the 
Reservoir,  and  other  places  along  the  Croton  Aqueduct, 
would  do  well  to  travel  on  this  Rail-Road. 

3IARKETS  IN  NEW-YORK. 

A  market  place  for  the  accommodation  of  the  butchers 
and  the  country  people,  was  anciently  under  the  trees  in 
front  of  the  fort^  near  the  corner  of  Water  and  Whitehall 
i  streets.  As  the  city  enlarged,  the  market  places  were 
removed  to  the  east  and  north,  first  at  the  foot  of  Broad- 
street,  then  to  Coenties  Slip,  and  subsequently  to  Old  Slip, 
and  to  the  Viie,  (a  Dutch  word,  indicating  a  valley,  a  rural 
spot,  formed  by  a  river  which  formerly  run  up  Maiden 
Lane,)  or  Fly  Market,  foot  of  Maiden  Lane,  and  to  Fulton 
and  Catharine  streets. 

The  market  houses  of  this  city  are  now  judiciously  dis- 
tributed in  various  quarters  of  the  town,  to  suit  the  wants 
and  convenience  of  the  citizens  ;  the  two  principal  ones 
being  situated  close  to  the  water,  one  on  the  Hudson,  and 
one  on  the  East  river,  at  the  extremity  of  Fulton-street  on 
each  side,  and  adjacent  to  the  two  most  important  ferries, 
which  render  them  very  accessible  to  the  country  people 
and  the  fishermen. 

Fulton  Market. — The  Fulton  market  was  built  in  1821, 
on  ground  formerly  oc<  .'Tpied  by  unsightly  wooden  build- 
ings,  which  were  destroyed  by  fire. 

When  the  Fulton  market  was  completed,  and  the  stalls 
put  up  at  auction,  the  whole  number,  amounting  to  eighty- 
six,  were  disposed  of  for  §19,015,  an  average  of  §216  each. 
This  number  was  found  to  be  greater  than  could  be  profit- 
ably occupied,  as  the  victuallers  could  not  pay  their  rents  ; 
consequently,  the  number  was  reduced,  and  twenty-seven 
!   of  the  stalls  in  the  southeast  wing  were  allotted  to  fisher- 
j   men,  and  the  residue  of  the  stalls  were  re-let  at  a  diminish- 
ed price.    The  first  sale  of  the  same  number  producing 
Slo,000,  and  the  present  receipts  being  only  §6,445.  In 
'  the  same  manner,  the  rooms  in  the  basement,  only  twenty- 


88 


PICTURE  OF  NEW.YORK. 


one  of  which  were  let  at  auction  for  §7,775  per  annum, 
now  let  for  §6,805.  The  purchase  of  the  ground,  and  cost 
of  erecting  the  market  was  $220,000.  The  building  is  of 
one  story,  with  a  basement,  from  which  round  stone  pillars 
rise,  connected  with  each  other  by  arches,  and  supporting 
the  roof  The  interior  ceiling  is  arched  from  one  extrem- 
ity  to  the  other,  plastered  and  whitewashed.  The  build- 
ings containing  the  stalls  occupy  three  sides  of  a  square, 
with  double  ranges  of  stalls  on  each  side,  the  first  begin- 
ning at  South.street,  extending  up  Fulton-street  to  Front- 
street;  the  second,  or  main  front,  to  Beekman-street ;  the 
third,  thence  to  South.street.  Over  the  centre  of  each 
of  the  front  entrances  are  rooms  of  one  story,  and  from  the 
middle  one,  on  Front-street,  occupied  by  the  clerk  of  the 
market,  rises  a  small  neat  cupola,  containing  a  bell  to 
notify  the  close  of  the  market.  A  separate  building  for 
country  people  occupies  the  centre  of  the  block,  but  en- 
tirely insulated  from  the  rest  of  the  edifice,  and  surrounded 
with  an  open  paved  area,  with  two  pumps.  The  hucksters* 
vegetable  stalls,  with  cellars  under  each,  are  adjacent  to 
the  inside  eaves  of  the  building  on  Fulton  and  Front  streets. 
As  the  other  markets  are  somewhat  on  the  same  model, 
this  description  will  suffice  for  all.  The  fish  cars  are  in  the 
adjacent  slip,  and  constantly  filled  w  ith  live  fish,  the  smacks 
arriving  hourly  from  the  fishing  grounds,  a  few  miles  out 
in  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  near  Sandy  Hook. 

There  is  no  ofl&cial  account  taken  in  New- York  of  the 
vast  amount  of  pork  and  provisions  that  arrive  coast- 
wise, and  down  the  Hudson,  and  sold  at  the  docks  to 
consumers  in  the  city,  and  which  constitutes  the  chief 
source  of  supply  of  many  articles  of  importance,  such  as 
butter,  cheese,  beef  and  pork,  both  fresh  and  salted,  fish,&c. 

The  vast  amount  of  business  done  at  this  market  in 
selhng,  eating,  &,c.,  will  astonish  the  attentive  observer. 
It  is  a  place  well  worth  a  visit  from  those  curious  in  such 
matters.  The  morning  is  perhaps  the  most  interesting 
time  to  visit  it. 

The  revenue  of  the  Fulton  market  in  1844,  was 
§18,775  69. 


MARKETS.  89 


Washington  Market. — The  next  principal  market  is  the 
Washington  market,  in  Washington-street,  corner  of  Ve- 
sey  and  Fulton  streets,  near  the  water's  edge.  It  occupies 
a  whole  square,  and  is  very  similar  to  the  Fulton  market 
in  its  construction  and  internal  arrangements.  This  mar- 
ket was  formerly  called  the  Bear  market,  from  the  fact 
that  bear  meat  was  there  exposed  for  sale.  The  amount 
of  business  done  here  is  less  than  at  the  Fulton,  but  the 
whole  south  and  w^est  population  of  the  city  frequent  it. 
The  products  of  the  Isorth  river  country  find  their  princi- 
pal sale  in  this  market. 

Its  revenue  in  1844  was  §18,775  20— its  cost  $130,000. 

Catharine  Market,  Catharine  Slip,  occupies  a  small 
square  between  Cherry  and  South  streets. 

Centre  Market,  Centre-street,  between  Grand  and 
Broome.  This  market  occupies  a  large  building,  two  sto- 
ries high,  and  substantially  built  of  brick.  The  market 
rooms  run  its  whole  length,  with  stalls  on  each  side,  simi- 
lar to  the  Boston  markets,  and  it  presents  a  neat  and  com- 
fortable appearance,  free  from  ihe  bustle  and  confusion 
that  is  so  conspicuous  in  the  other  markets.  The  halls  in 
the  second  story  are  occupied  by  certain  military  compa- 
nies as  armories  and  drill-rooms — and  for  various  other 
purposes  by  the  city  police. 

Chelsea  Market — In  Ninth  Avenue,  near  Eighteenth- 
street. 

Clinton  3Iarket — Between  Washington  and  West 
streets,  and  between  Spring  and  Canal  streets. 

Essex  Market — In  Grand-street,  between  Essex  and 
Ludlow. 

Franklin  Market — A  small  building  in  Old  Slip,  East 
River. 

Gouverneur  Market — Gouverneur-street,  corner  of 
Water-street. 

Greenwich  Market — In  Weehawken-street,  corner  of 
Christopher  and  West. 

Jefferson  Market — Sixth  Avenue,  corner  of  Greenwich- 
street. 


8^ 


90 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


Monroe  Market — Corlears-street,  between  Monroe  and 
Grand. 

Manhattan  Market — Houston-street,  corner  of  First. 

Tompkins  Market — Third  Avenue,  between  Sixth  and 
Seventh  streets. 

Union  Market — Second-street,  corner  of  Houston. 

All  the  markets  are  required  by  law  to  close  every  day, 
except  Saturdays,  at  12  o'clock  ;  after  which  they  are 
thoroughly  washed.  On  Saturdays  they  keep  open  till  12 
o'clock  at  night.  Each  market  has  a  clerk  appointed  by 
the  city,  who  attends  to  the  general  conduct  of  its  affairs. 

The  idea  has  been  entertained  by  many  gentlemen  of 
taste  in  the  city,  of  transforming  the  new  City-Hall  in  the 
Park  into  an  eleofant  flower  and  fruit  market.  It  would  be 
a  very  great  acquisition  to  the  city  if  properly  carried  out. 

FERRIES. 

All  the  Ferries  in  New- York  are  supplied  with  large 
and  safe  boats,  well  fitted  up  for  the  accommodation  of 
passengers  in  inclement  weather.  The  Fulton  Ferry,  in 
particular,  has  some  very  fine  boats.  They  are  sources  of 
large  revenue  to  the  city,  being  leased  by  the  Corporation 
to  separate  companies. 

Fulton  Ferry — From  Fulton-street,  New-York,  to  Ful- 
ton-street, Brooklyn,  is  731  yards  wide.  Boats  leave  every 
five  minutes  during  the  day  and  evening,  till  nine  o'clock, 
after  which,  till  twelve  o'clock,  they  leave  every  half  hour 
till  morning.    [For  particulars,  see  Brooklyn.] 

South  Ferry — From  Whitehall-street,  near  the  Battery, 
East  river,  to  Atlantic-street,  Brooklyn.  Same  regula- 
tions as  the  Fulton  Ferry.   This  Ferry  is  1300  yards  wide. 

Catharine  Ferry — From  Catharine-street,  New-York,  to 
Main-street,  Brooklyn,  is  736  yards  wide.  Boats  run 
every  fifteen  minutes  during  the  day^  and  all  night,  same  as 
at  the  Fulton  Ferry. 

Navy  Yard  Ferry — From  Walnut-street,  New- York,  to 
Jackson.street,  Brooklyn,  is  707  yards  wide.  Boats 
run  every  fifteen  minutes. 


FERRIES.  91 


Astoria,  called  HelUGate  Ferry,  from  the  foot  of  Eighty- 
sixth-street,  East  river. 

Elizabeth  port. — This  Ferry  lands  at  Port  Richmond  and 
Staten  Island  once  a  day.    It  starts  from  Battery  Place. 

Fort  Lee — From  the  foot  of  Canal-street. 

Hohoken  Ferries. — Barclay-street  Ferry  to  Hoboken, 
every  fifteen  minutes  during  the  day.  This  Ferry  is  two 
miles  long,  and  has  admirable  boats—- Ferriage  6i  cents. 

Canal-street  Ferry,  from  the  foot  of  Canal-street,  one 
mile  and  a  half  long  ;  and  Christopher-street  Ferry,  from 
the  foot  of  Christopher-street,  Chelsea,  one  mile  long — 
runs  every  fifteen  minutes  to  Hoboken— Ferriage  6i  cents. 

Jersey  City  jp^rry— From  the  foot  of  Courtlandt-street, 
one  mile  long;  runs  every  fifteen  minutes  during  the  day, 
and  every  half  hour  during  the  night,  till  twelve  o'clock — 
Ferriage  6|  cents. 

Staten  Island  Ferry.— -This  Ferry  lands  at  the  Quaran- 
tine, and  at  the  lower  landing.  Starts  from  Whitehall- 
street  every  hour  during  the  day,  subject,  however,  to 
some  change  in  different  seasons— Fare  6i  cents  in  sum- 
mer, and  1*2^  cents  in  winter. 

Williamshur^h  has  three  Ferries — one  from  the  foot  of 
Peck  Slip  (2800  yards,)  every  half  hour;  also,  from  the 
foot  of  Grand-street,  (950  yards,)  and  from  the  foot  of 
Houston-street. 

STEAM. BOATS,  TOW-BOAT*?.  AND  PACKETS  WHICH  LEAVE  NEW- 
YORK,  WITH  THZIR  PLACES  OF  STARTING. 

Albany  and  Boston  steam-boat,  via  Bridgeport  and  Housa- 

tonic  Rail-Road,  foot  of  Market-street. 
Albany  tow-boat,  Broad-street,  E.  R.,  and  Courtlandt- 

street,  N.  R. 

Albany,  People's  Line,  steam-boat,  (evening,)  Pier  14,  be- 
tween Courtlandt  and  Liberty  streets. 

Albany  steam-boat,  Pier  18,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Courtlandt- 
street. 

Albany  steam-boat.  Pier  24,  N.  R.,  West,  between  Bar- 
clay and  Robinson  streets. 


92 


PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


Albany  and  Troi/ steam-boat,  (morning  and  evening,)  foot 
of  Barclay-streei  and  foot  of  Courtlandt-street. 

Alexandria  packet,  Pier  14,  E.  R. 

Amboy,  Pier  2,  N.  R. 

Apalachicola  packet.  Burling  Slip,  E.  R. 

Astoria,  Flushing  and  Bavenswood  steam-boat,  Fulton 
Slip,  E.  R. 

Boston — See  Norwich,  Providence  and  Stonington. 
Boston,  packet,  Coenties  Slip  and  Maiden  Lane,  Pier  18, 
E.  R. 

Bridgeport  steam-boat,  foot  of  Market  Slip,  E.  R. 
Bridgeport  packet,  James'  Slip,  E.  R. 
Bristol,  Eng.,  steam-ship,  Clinton-street,  E.  R. 
CaldwcWs,  [Vest  Point  and  Cold  Spring  steam-boat,  foot 

of  Warren-street,  N.  R. 
Castleton  steam-boat,  foot  of  Battery  Place. 
Catskill  steam-boat,  Albany  Basin,  Pier  13,  N.  R.,  foot  of 

Cedar-street. 

Charleston  packet,  Burling  Slip  and  Wall-street,  E.  R. 

Cold  Spring,  West  Point  and  CaldwelVs  steam-boat, 
foot  of  Warren-Street,  N.  R. 

Darien  packet,  Beekman-street,  E.  R. 

Dohbs'  Ferry  steam-boat.  Pier  27,  N.  R.,  foo*  of  Cham- 
bers-street. 

East  Haddam  packet,  James'  Slip,  E.  R. 

Eastport  packet,  Pier  2,  E.  R. 

Elizabethtoion  Point  steam-boat.  Pier  1,  N.  R.,  foot  of 
Battery  Place. 

Fall  Eiver  packet.  Maiden  Lane  and  Coenties  Slip,  E.  R. 
Fishkill  tow-boat,  Liberty-street,  N.  R. 
Flushing,  Astoria  and  Eavenswood  steam-boat,  Fulton 
Slip,  E.  R. 

Fort  Lee  steam-boat,  foot  of  Hoboken-street,  N.  R. 
Georgetown,  D.  C,  packet,  Pier  14,  E.  R. 
Georgetown,  S.  C,  packet,  Coenties  Slip,  east  side,  E.  R. 
Grassy  Point  steam-boat.  Pier  27,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Cham- 
bers-street. 

Hartford,  Ct.,  steam-boat.  Peck  SHp,  E.  R. 
Hartford  packet,  James'  and  Coenties  Shps,  E.  R. 


stejlM-boats,  tow-boats  and  packets. 


93 


Hudson  steam-boat,  Albany  Basin,  foot  of  Cedar-street, 
N.  R. 

Hudson  tow-boat,  Cedar-street,  N.  R. 

Key  West  packet,  Pier  11,  E.  R. 

London  packet.  Maiden  Lane,  Piers  19  and  20,  E.  R. 

do.        do.     Beekman-street,  E.  R. 
Liverpool,  do.     Maiden  Lane,  E.  R. 

do.        do.     Beekman-street,  E.  R. 

do.        do.     Wall.street,  E.  R. 
Middletown,  Ct.,  packet,  James'  Slip,  E.  R. 
Mobile  packet,  Burling  Slip  and  Wall-street,  E.  R. 
Nantucket  packet,  Stevens'  wharf,  E.  R. 
Newark  steam-boat,  foot  of  Barclay-street,  N.  R. 
Newark,  N.      packet,  Whitehall,  E.  R. 
New.Bedford  packet.  Peck  Slip,  E.  R. 
Neio.Brighton  steam-boat,  foot  of  Battery  Place. 
Neio. Brunswick  steam-boat.  Pier  23,  N.  R.,  between 

Barclay  and  Robinson  streets. 
New-Brunswick  packet,  Broad-street,  E.  R. 
Newburgh  steam-boat.  Pier  26,  x^.  R.,  between  Murray 

and  Warren  streets. 
Newburgh  packet.  Warren-street,  N.  R. 
New-Hamburgh  and  Marlborough  steam-boat,    foot  of 

Robinson  street. 
New-Haven,  Ct.,  steam-boat,  (morning  and  evening,)  Peck 

Slip,  E.  R. 
NetD-Haven  packet,  Peck  Slip,  E.  R. 
New-London  packet.  Burling  Slip,  E.  R. 
New-Orleans  packet,  Wall.street,  E.  R. 
Newport  and  Providence  steam-boat,  Pier  3,  N.  R.,  ofRce 

19  West. 

New-Bochelle  steam-boat,  Fulton-street,  N.  R. 
Norfolk  packet,  James'  Slip,  E.  R. 
Norwalk,  Ct.^  steam-boat,  Catharine  Slip,  E.  R. 
Norwich  packet,  Burling  Slip,  E.  R. 

Norwich,  Ct.,  Worcester  and  Boston,  by  steam-boat,  from 
Pier  1,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Battery  Place  ;  for  Boston,  by  Long 
Island  Rail-Road,  from  the  South  Ferry  to  Brooklyn,  at 
the  foot  of  Whitchall-street. 


94 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


Peekskill  steam-boat,  Pier  27,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Chambers- 
street. 

Petersburgh  packet,  Wall-street. 

Philadelphia  and  Camden  steam-boat,  via  Amboy,  Pier  2, 
N.  R. 

Philadelphia^  by  the  New-Jersey  Rail-Road,  from  the  foot 
of  Courilandt-street. 

Philadelphia  packet,  Old  and  Coenties  Slips,  E.  R. 

Philadelphia  tow-boat,  Coenties  Slip,  Pier  2,  N.  R. 

Port  Chester^  Rocky  Neck,  Stamford  and  Norwalk  steam- 
boat, from  Catharine  Market  Slip. 

Portland  packet,  Coenties  Shp,  E.  R. 

Portsmouth,  N.  77.,  packet,  Coenties  Slip,  E.  R. 

Port  Richmond  steam-boat,  foot  of  Battery  Place. 

Poughkeepsie  steam-boat.  Pier  foot  of  Barclay-street. 

Poughkeepsie  tow-boat.  Liberty-street,  N.  R. 

Providence  and  Boston,  via  Stonington,  by  steam-boat,  from 
Pier  1,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Battery  Place  ;  and  by  the  Long 
Island  Rail-Road,  from  the  South  Ferry  to  Brooklyn,  at 
the  foot  of  Whitehall-street. 

Providence  packet,  Maiden  Lane,  E.  R. 

Pavenswood,  Flushing  and  Astoria  steam-boat,  Fulton 
Slip,  E.  R. 

Bhineheck  steam-boat,  foot  of  Robinson-street. 
Richmond  packet,  Wall-street,  E.  R. 
Sag  Harbour  packet.  Peck  Slip,  E.  R. 
Salem,  Mass.,  packet,  Coenties  Slip,  E.  R. 
Savannah  packet.  Wall  and  Maiden  Lane. 
Shrewsbury,  N.  J.,  packet,  Coenties  Slip. 
Sing  Sing  steam-boat,  Pier  27,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Chambers- 
street. 

Steam  Navigation  Company,  82  Courtlandt-street. 
Stonington,  Providence  and  Boston,  by  steam-boat,  from 

Pier  1,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Battery  Place  ;  and  by  Long  Island 

Rail-Road,  from  the  South  Ferry  to  Brooklyn,  at  the  foot 

of  Whitehall. 
Tarrytown,  Pier  27,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Chambers-street. 
Trenton,  by  New-Jersey  Rail-Road,  Pier  16,  N.  R.,  foot 

of  Courtlandt-street. 


STAGE  LINES. 


95 


Troy  steam-boat,  (morning  and  evening,)  foot  of  Bar- 
clay-street,  N.  R.,  and  Pier  18,  N.  R.,foot  of  Courtlandt- 
street. 

Troy  tow-boat,  Broad-street,  E.  R. 

Troy  and  Albany  steam-boat,  (evening,)  from  Pier  18, 
N.  R.,  foot  of  Courtlandt-street. 

Washington  City  packet.  Pier  14,  E.  R. 

West  Point,  CaldweWs  and  Cold  Spring  steam-boat, 
foot  of  Warren-street,  N.  R. 

Wilmington,  N.  C,  packet,  Central  Wharf,  Roosevelt- 
street,  E.  R. 

Yonkers  steam-boat,  Pier  21,  N.  R.,  foot  of  Chambers, 
street. 


STAGE  LINES. 

Time  of  departure  varies  with  the  seasons. 

HarlcEm  and  Yorkville,  every  half  hour,  from  23  Chat- 
ham-street. 

Astoria  and  Yorkville,  every  hour,  iVom  23  Chatham-street. 

Dover,  New-Jersey,  leaves  73  Courtlandt-street  daily. 

Bloomingdale  and  Manhattanville,  leaves  every  40  min- 
utes, from  Tryon's  Row,  corner  of  Chatham-street. 

Jamaica,  L.  I.,  leaves  340  Pearl-street. 

Morristown,  N.  /.,  leaves  73  Courtlandt-street. 

Newtown  and  Flushing,  340  Pearl-street. 

Yorkville  and  Harl<Bm,.,awQTY  half  hour,  from  23  Chat- 
ham-street. 

Yorkville  and  Astoria,  every  hour,  from  23  Chatham-street. 
Eoslin,  Manhasset,  Great  Neck  and  Little  Neck,  from  340 

Pearl-street. 
Powerville,  N.  J.,  from  73  Courtlandt-street. 
Morristown,  iV. /.,  from  73  Courtlandt-street. 

From  the  following  statement  it  appears  that  there  are 
258  regular  Omnibuses  inNew-York.  Besides  these,  there 
are  19  other  stages;  2,989  drays;  201  hackney-coaches, 
and  231  cabs. 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


BROADWAY  LINES  OF  OMNIBUSES. 


(» 

tJD 

a 

1  a 

B 

6 

0.  Sta 

2; 

Empire  Line. — Lent  ^  Andrews. 
Route — From  South  Ferry,  through  White- 
hall, up  Broadway,  through  Ninth,  up 
Av.  6th  to  Hth.street,     .       .       .       2|  20  140  20 

Chelsea  Line. — Kipp  <^  Brown. 
Route — From  Av.  9,  cor.  27th-street,  down 
Av.  9,  through  Hudson,  Canal  and  Broad- 
way,  to  Bowling  Green,  .       .       3^  18  206  22 

Fulton  Ferry  Line. — Slocum,  Rey- 
nolds ^  Co. 
Route — From  Av.  7,  cor.  Slst-street,  down 
Av.  7,  through  Greenwich  Av.,  Av.  6, 
Amity,  Broadway  and  Fulton,  to  Fulton 


Ferrv,   3    20  120  51 

Greenwich  hi^E.—Kipp  ^  Broion. 
Route — From  Hudson,  cor.  Charles,  down 
Hudson,  through  Chambers,  Greenwich, 
Battery  Place  and  Whitehall,  to  South 

Ferry,   3    20    14  8 

Knickerbocker  Line. — Palmer  ^  Peters. 
Route — From  Av.  8,  cor.  23d,  down  Av.  8, 
through  Bleecker,  Broadway  and  White- 
hall, to  South  Ferry,        .       .       .       3^  16  222  38 
Madison  Line. — Slocum,  Reynolds  ^  Co. 
Route — From  Av.  A,  cor.  23d,  down  Av.  4, 
through  Broadway  and   Whitehall,  to 
South  Ferry,   3    20  132  23 

Merchants'  Line. 
Route — From  Av.  6,  cor.  23d,  down  Av.  6, 
through  Eleventh,  Broadway,  Wall  and 
Pearl,  to  Hanover  Square,        .       .      3^  20  120  20 


OMNIBUSES.  97 


Pi:  12; 


Murphy  &  Go's  LiNE.—Murphy  ^  Co. 

Route — From  Av.  3,  cor.  28th,  down  Av.  3, 
through  the  Bowery,  Chatham,  Broad- 
way, Whitehall,  to  South  Ferry,       .       3i  16  120  20 

Tompkins'  Square  Line. — Murphy  ^  Co. 

Boute — From  Tompkins  Square,  through 
8lh  and  the  Bowery,  Chatham,  Broad- 
way, Whitehall,  to  South  Ferry,     .      .  22I  16    65  11 

Union  Line. — Hatfields  <^  Bertine. 

Route — Commencing  at  Av.  D,  in  10th, 
down  Av.  D,  through  Columbia,  Grand, 
Bowery,  Chatham,  Broadway,  White- 
hall, to  S.Ferry,   3    16  175  27 

East  Broadway  Line, — Hatfields  ^  Ber- 
tine. 

Route — From  Av.  D,  cor.  10th,  down  Av. 
D,  through  Columbia,  East  Broadway, 
Chatham,  Broadway,  Whitehall,  to  South 
Ferry,       .       .   '   .       .       .       .     3    16  178  25 

Waverly  Line. — Slocum,  Reynolds  Co. 
Route — Commencing  at  Av.  6,  cor.  23d, 

down  Av.  6,  Waverly  Place,  Broadway 

and  Whitehall,  to  South  Ferry,     .      .   3    20  120  20 

The  Knickerbocker  Line  connects  at  Av.  8, 25th-street, 
with  the  Bloomingdale  stages. 

The  whole  number  of  miles  traversed  per  day  is  671  ; 
number  of  horses,  1,598  ;  and  there  are  258  stages. 


9 


98 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


TABLE  OF  DISTANCES  IN  NEW- YORK. 

From 

To  the 

To  the     To  the 

City  Hall.  Battery.  Exchange. 

i  mile. 

t 

3 

4 

JL 

1 
1 

3 
1 

1 

1  1 

1 

2. 

■t  I 

1 

1 1 
I4 

1  1 

1 3 

1 1 

0 

1  ^ 

Oi 

0 

0  3 

01 

03 

OJL 

0 

0 

91 

q 
0 

9^ 

1 

ot 

0  * 

Jf 

A 

4 

Ql 

df 

Ql 

/I  J. 

4 

Q  3 

44 

/I  J. 

A 

A  3 

41 
46 

A  I 

r 
0 

A\ 

A  i 

c 

Al 

r 

..  5i 

0 

0$ 

5h 

Cl 

bi 

0 

..  5i 

c  1 

0.1 

t>4 

..  6 

04 

fil 

.  G\ 

7 

61 
^4 

..  6i 

n 

7 

One  Hundred  and  Seventeenth,. 

..  7 

7i 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-first, 

.  7i 

8 

% 

One  Hundred  and  Twenty-sixth,  7i 

8i 

8 

One  Hundred  and  Thirty-sixth,. 

..  8 

8| 

8i 

Si 

9 

8i 

One  Hundred  and  Forty-fifth,. . , . 

..  Si 

9i 

9 

One  Hundred  and  Fifty-fifth,,  , . 

9 

91 

9J 

EXPRESSES. 


99 


DISTANCES  FROM  THE  CITY-HALL  TO  _DIFFERENT  PUBLIC 
PLACES  IN  THE  CITY,  ETC. 

From  the  City- Hall,       Miles.]    From  the  City-Hall,  Miles. 

To  the  Battery,  south  end,  1  j  To  the  Dry  Dock,       .  2 

north  do.     |i  To  Corlear's  Hook,     .  1^ 

To  the  foot  of  Courtlandt-st.  \  To  Catharine-st.  Ferry,  | 

Barclay-st,        ||  To  Fulton-st.  Ferry,    .  I 
"       Chambers-st.        To  Brooklyn,  foot  of 

Canal-st.         1          Fulton-st.     .       .  1 

To  the  Old  State  Prison       \   **    foot  of  Atlaniicst.  2 

dock,        .       .       .    Ill   "    City-Kail,    .       .  2 

To  Fort  Gansevoort,     .    2  |  To  U.  S.  Navy  Yard,  .  \\ 

To  the  Frot.  Epis.  Theolo.    i  To  Williamsburgh,     .  2 

Seminary,        .       .    2^  To  Jersey  City,      .    .  li 

To  the  House  of  Refuge,  2i:  To  Hoboken,     ...  2 

To  Bellevue,        .       .    2^;  To  Harlsem,      ...  8 

EXPRESSES. 

Adams  ^  Co.,  17  Wall-street,  Boston,  Worcester,  Norwich, 
Philadelphia,  Baltimore,  Washington,  Pittsburgh  and 
Foreign. 

Baldwin,  6  Wall-street,  Newark,  Ne w-Haven  and  Hartford. 
Carman,  Brooklyn,  20  Liberty-street. 
Godfrey  ^  Co.,  6  Wall-street,  Taunton,  New-Bedford  and 
Nantucket. 

Gorton,  17  Wall-street,  ^'tonington,  Providence,  Newport 
and  Fall  River. 

Harnden  ^  Co.,  6  Wall-street,  Boston,  Providence,  Phila- 
delphia, Baltimore,  Washington,  Pittsburgh  and  Foreign. 

Matheios,  10  Wall-street,  Oswe^-o,  (N.  Y.,)  Kingston  and 
Toronto,  (Canada.) 

Livingston  ^  Co.,  6  Wali-street,  Philadelphia,  Baltimore, 
Washington,  Pittsburgh  and  South. 

Livingston  ^  Wells,  10  Wall-street,  Albany,  Buffalo, 
Cleveland,  Detroit,  Chicago  and  Canada. 

Pullen     Co.,  10  Wall-street,  Troy  and  Northern  Express. 

Virgil  ^  Co.,  10  Wall-street,  Montreal  and  Quebec. 


100 


PICTURE  OF  NEW- YORK. 


HACKNEY  COACH  STANDS. 

1.  On  the  south  side  of  the  Park. 

2.  In  Broadway,  near  Wall-street. 

3.  In  Broadway,  around  the  Bowling  Green. 

4.  In  Pearl-street,  at  Hanover  square. 

5.  In  Hudson-street,  along  St.  John's  Park. 

6.  In  Hudson-street,  near  Duane. 

7.  In  Chatham  square. 

8.  On  the  north  side  of  Canal-street,  near  Broadway. 

9.  Near  all  the  principal  steam-boat  landings. 

RATES  OF  FARE  OF  HACKNEY  COACHES,  CARRIAGES  OR  CABS. 

(Established  by  City  Ordinance.) 

For  conveying  a  passenger  any  distance  not  exceeding 
one  mile,  twenty-five  cents ;  for  conveying  two  passengers 
the  same  distance,  fifty  cents,  or  twenty-five  cents  each, 
and  every  additional  passenger  twenty-five  cents. 

For  conveying  a  passenger  any  distance  exceeding  a 
mile,  and  within  two  miles,  fifty-cents  ;  and  for  every  ad- 
ditional passenger,  twenty-five  cents. 

For  conveying  one  passenger  to  the  New  Aims-House, 
fifty  cents,  and  for  returning,  fifty  cents ;  for  conveying 
two  passengers  the  same  distance,  seventy-f  ve  cents  for 
the  two,  and  twenty-five  cents  going,  and  twenty-five 
cents  returning,  for  every  additional  passenger. 

For  conveying  any  passenger  to  Forty-second-street, 
and  remaining  half  an  hour,  and  returning,  one  dollar ; 
and  for  every  additional  passenger,  twenty-five  cents. 

For  conveying  one  passenger  to  Sixty-first.street,  and 
remaining  three-quarters  of  an  hour,  and  returning,  one 
dollar  and  fifty  cents  ;  and  for  every  additional  passenger, 
thirty-seven  and  a  half  cents. 

For  conveying  one  passenger  to  Eighty-sixth-street,  and 
remaining  an  hour,  and  returning,  two  dollars  ;  and  for 
every  additional  passenger,  fifty  cents. 

For  conveying  one  or  more  passengers  to  Harleem,  and 
returning,  with  the  privilege  of  remaining  three  hours,  four 
dollars. 


RATES  OF  FARE  OF  COACHES,  ETC.  101 


For  conveying  one  or  more  passengers  to  King's  bridge, 
and  returning,  with  the  privilege  of  keeping  the  carriage 
or  cab  ail  day,  five  dollars. 

For  the  use  of  a  hackney  coach,  carriage  or  cab,  by  the 
day,  with  one  or  more  passengers,  five  dollars. 

For  ihe  use  of  a  hackney  coach,  carriage  or  cab,  by  the 
hour,  with  one  or  more  passengers,  with  the  privilege  of 
going  from  place  to  place,  and  stopping  as  often  as  may 
be  required,  as  follows  : — for  the  first  hour,  one  dollar  ; 
for  ihe  second  hour,  seventy.five  cents  ;  and  for  every  suc- 
ceeding hour,  fifty  cents. 

For  children  between  two  and  fourteen  years  of  age, 
half  price  only  is  to  be  charged ;  and  for  children  under 
two  years  of  age,  no  charge  is  to  be  made. 

Whenever  a  hackney  coach,  carriage  or  cab  shall  be 
detained,  except  as  aforesaid,  the  owner  or  driver  shall  be 
allowed  after  the  rate  of  seventy.five  cents  an  hour,  and 
thirty-seven  and  a  half  cents  for  each  and  every  subse- 
quent hour,  and  so  on  in  proportion  for  any  part  of  the  first 
and  subsequent  hour  which  the  same  may  be  so  detained. 

For  attending  a  funeral  within  the  Lamp  and  Watch 
District,  two  dollars,  and  the  Potter's  Field,  three  dollars  ; 
which  charge  shall  include  the  necessary  detention  and  re- 
turning with  passengers. 

Every  driver  or  owner  of  a  hackney  coach,  carriage  or 
cab,  shall  carry,  transport,  and  convey  in  and  upon  his 
coach,  carriage  or  cab,  in  addition  to  the  person  or  persons 
therein,  one  trunk,  v&.\ise,  saddle-bag,  carpet-bag,  port- 
manteau or  box,  if  he  be  requested  so  to  do,  for  each  pas- 
senger, without  charge  or  compensation  therefor  ;  but  for 
every  trunk  or  other  such  article  above  named,  more  than 
one  for  each  passenger,  he  shall  be  entitled  to  demand  and 
I     receive  the  sum  of  six  cents. 

!  In  case  of  disagreement  as  to  distance  or  price,  the 
j  same  shall  be  determined  by  the  Mayor,  or  Superintendent 
i     of  hackney  coaches  and  cabs. 

The  owner  of  any  hackney  coach,  carriage  or  cab,  shall 
not  demand  or  receive  any  pay  for  the  conveyance  of  any 
passenger,  unless  the  number  of  the  carriage,  and  the  rates 


9* 


102 


PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


and  prices  of  fare,  shall  be  fixed  and  placed  in  a  manner 
hereinafter  directed  in  second  section  of  title  fourth  of 
this  law,  at  the  time  such  passenger  may  be  conveyed  in 
such  coach,  carriage  or  cab. 

The  owner  or  driver  of  any  hackney  coach,  carriage  or 
cab,  shall  not  be  entitled  to  recover  or  receive  any  pay  ' 
from  any  person  from  whom  he  shall  have  demanded  any 
greater  price  of  rates  than  he  maybe  authorized  to  receive 
as  aforesaid. 

Upon  the  trial  of  any  cause  commenced  for  the  recovery 
of  any  of  the  aforesaid  prices  or  rates,  it  shall  be  incum- 
bent upon  the  plaintiff  or  plaintiffs  in  such  action,  to  prove 
that  the  number  and  prices  or  rates  were  placed  and  fixed 
in  pursuance  of  the  provisions  of  this  law,  at  the  time  the 
services  were  rendered  for  which  the  suit  may  be  brought. 

No  owner  or  driver  of  any  hackney  coach,  carriage  or 
cab,  in  the  city  of  New.York,  shall  ask,  demand  or  re- 
ceive any  larger  sum  than  he  or  they  may  be  entitled  to 
receive  ?s  aforesaid,  under  the  penalty  of  ten  dollars  for 
every  such  offence,  to  be  sued  for  and  recovered  from  the 
owner  or  owners,  or  drivers,  of  any  such  hackney  coach, 
carriage  or  cab,  severally  and  respectively. 

Complaints  of  any  violation  of  the  hackney  coach  or 
cab  law,  can  be  made  at  the  Mayor's  office,  City-Hall, 
or  at  the  office  of  the  Chief  of  Police,  in  the  Park. 

PUBLIC  PORTERS  AND  HAND-CART  MEN — RATES  OF  FARE. 

For  carrying  a  load  upon  a  wheelbarrow — 

1.  For  any  distance  not  exceeding  half  a  mile,  12|  cents. 

2.  For  any  distance  over  half  a  mile,  and  not  exceed- 
ing a  mile,  25  cents ;  and  in  that  proportion  for  any  greater 
distance. 

For  carrying  a  load  upon  a  hand-barrow — 

1.  For  any  distance  not  exceeding  half  a  mile,  25  cents. 

2.  For  any  distance  over  half  a  mile,  and  not  exceed- 
ing a  mile,  44  cents  ;  and  in  that  proportion  for  any  greater 
distance. 

For  carting  a  load  in  a  hand-cart — 


HUDSON  RIVER  STEAM-BOATS.  103 


1.  For  any  distance  not  exceeding  half  a  mile,  18  cents. 

2.  For  any  distance  over  half  a  mile,  and  not  exceed, 
ing  a  mile,  31  cents  ;  and  in  that  proportion  for  any  greater 
distance. 


HUDSON  RIVER  STEAM-BOATS. 
The  following  list  embraces  all  the  Passage  Boats  built 
and  running  on  the  Hudson  river,  between  New- York, 
Albany  and  Troy,  since  their  first  introduction  by  Robert 
Fulton,  in  the  fall  of  1807. 

^uUr  Names.  Tons.  Remarks. 

1807  Clermont,  Name  changed  to  N.  River 

1808  North  River,  166,  Broken  up 

1809  Car  of  Neptune,  295, 

1811  Hope,  280,      "  " 

1811  Perseverance,  280, 
1811  Paragon,  331,  Sunk,  1825. 

1813  Richmond,  370,  Broken  up, 

1815  Olive  Branch,  295, 

1816  Chanc'r  Livingston,  495,       "  " 

1823  James  Kent,  364,  Coal  barge. 

1824  Hudson,  170,  Broken  up. 

1825  Sandusky,  289,  Tow  boat. 
1825  Constitution,           276,  Now  Indiana. 
1825  Constellation,          276.  Tow  barge. 

1825  Ch.Just'e  Marshall,  300,  Lost  in  Long  Isl'd  Sound. 

1825  Saratoga,  250,  Tow  barge. 

1826  Sun,  280,  Burnt,  1831. 

1826  New  Philadelphia,    300,  Runs  on  Delaware  river. 

1827  Albany,  298,  Runs  to  Troy. 

1827  Independence,         368,  On  Philadelphia  route. 
1827  North  America,       497,  Destroyed  by  ice,  1839. 

1827  Victory,  290,  Sunk  in  1845. 

1828  De  Witt  Clinton,     571,  Engine  in  Knickerbocker, 

1829  Ohio,  412,  Tow  barge. 

1830  Novelty,  477,  Broken  up, 
1832  Champlain,  471,  Tow  barge. 
1832  Erie,                     472,  Tow  barge. 


104 


PICTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


Built. 

1833 
1835 
1836 
1836 
1837 
1838 
1839 
1839 
1840 
1840 
1841 
1841 
1842 
1843 
1842 


1845 
1845 
1845 


Names. 
Helen, 

Robert  L.  Stevens, 

Rochester, 

Swallow, 

Urica, 

Diamond, 

Balloon, 

North  America, 

South  America, 

Troy, 

Columbia, 

Rainbow, 

Curtis  Peck, 

Empire, 

Knickerbocker, 

Belle, 

Express, 

Niagira, 

Rip  Van  Winkle, 
Hendrick  Hudson, 


Tons. 

298, 
491, 
326, 
340, 
398, 
204, 
494, 
638, 
724, 
391, 
230, 

936, 
858, 
430, 
288, 
730, 
540, 
1170, 


Remarks. 
Destroyed,  1834. 
Runs  to  Saugerties. 
Runs  to  Albany. 
Destroyed  April  7,  1845. 
Runs  to  Albany. 
Laid  up. 

Runs  to  Newark. 
Runs  to  Albany. 

Runs  to  Troy. 
Runs  to  Albany. 
On  Delaware  river. 
On  James  river,  Va. 
Runs  to  Troy. 
Runs  to  Albany. 


Runs  to  Troy. 
Runs  to  Albany. 


Extract  from  the  Pictvresque  Touristy  published  by  J. 
Disturnell,  in  1844. 
Passenger  Barges. — In  1826,  the  steam-ooai  Com- 
merce, Captain  George  E.Seymour,  towed  the  passenger 
barge.  Lady  Clinton,  and  the  steam-boat  Swiftsure,  Capt. 
Cowden,  towed  the  passenger  barge.  Lady  Van  Rensse- 
laer." 

Extract  from  the  Albany  Gazette,  dated  Oct.  5,  1807. 

"  Friday,  Oct.  2,  1807,  the  steam-boat  (Clermont)  left 
New. York  at  10  o'clock,  A.  M.,  against  a  stormy  tide, 
very  rough  water,  and  a  violent  gale  from  the  north.  She 
made  a  headway  beyond  the  most  sanguine  expectations, 
and  without  being  rocked  by  the  waves. 

"  Arrived  at  Albany,  Oct.  4,  at  10  o'clock,  P.  M.,  being 
detained  by  being  obliged  to  come  to  anchor,  owing  to  a 
gale,  and  having  one  of  her  paddle  wheels  torn  away  by 
running  foul  of  a  sloop." 


HUDSON  RIVER  STEXM-BOATS. 


105 


Copy  of  an  Advertisement  taken  from  the  Albany  Gazette^ 
dated  September,  1807. 
**  The  North  river  steam. boat  will  leave  Pauler's  Hook 
Ferry  [now  Jersey  City]  on  Friday,  the  4th  of  September, 
at  9  in  the  morning,  and  arrive  at  Albany  on  Saturday,  at 
9  in  the  afternoon.  Provisions,  good  berths  and  accom- 
modations are  provided. 

The  charge  to  each  passenger  is  as  follows: 
To  Newburgh,  dolls.    3,    time,    14  hours. 

Poughkeepsie,  4  17 

*'  Esopus,  "       5  20 

Hudson,  5i     "  30 

Albany,  7       "  36 

'*  For  places  apply  to  Wm.  Vandervoort,  No.  48  Court- 
landt.street,  on  the  corner  of  Greenwich-strcet. 

**Sept.  2,  1807." 
Extract  from  the  New-  York  Evening  Post,  dated  Oct.  9, 
1807. 

Mr.  Fulton's  newly  invented  steam-boat,  which  is  fit- 
ted up  in  a  neat  style  for  passengers,  and  is  intended  to  run 
from  New-York  to  Albany  as  a  packet,  left  here  this  morn- 
ing with  ninety  passengers,  against  a  strong  head  wind. 
Notwithstanding  which,  it  was  judged  she  moved  through 
the  water  at  the  rate  of  six  miles  an  hour." 

Notice. — It  is  stated  on  the  authority  of  Captain  E.  S» 
Bunker,  that  the  Clermont,  or  experiment  boat^diS  some- 
times called,  the  first  steam-boat  constructed  under  the  di- 
rection and  superintendence  of  Robert  Fulton,  in  1807,  was 
100  feet  long,  12  feet  wide  and  7  feet  deep.  In  1808  she 
was  lengthened  to  150  feet,  widened  to  18  feet,  and  had 
her  name  changed  to  North  River.  The  engine  was 
constructed  in  England,  by  Wati  &  Bolton,  and  brought  to 
Ne W.York  in  Dec,  1806,  by  Mr.  Fulton.  The  hull  of  the 
boat  was  constructed  by  Charles  Brown,  an  eminent  ship- 
builder in  New-York.  In  August,  1807,  the  boat  was  pro- 
pelled by  steam  from  the  East  river  to  the  Jersey  shore, 
and  on  the  2d  of  Oct.  following,  she  started  on  her  first  trip 
to  Alb  an  V. 


106 


PICXrRE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


POPULATION. 

A  general  census  of  the  population  of  the  United  States 
is  taken  every  ten  years  by  the  general  government,  and  a 
Slate  census  of  this  state  in  the  intermediate  five  years.  By 
that  of  1800,  it  appears  that  New. York  city  contained 
60,489  inhabitants.  In  18U5,  immediately  after  the  disap. 
pearance  of  the  epidemic  disease  which  had  previously  ra- 
vaged the  city,  an  enumeration  was  made  by  the  common 
council,  when  it  was  found  the  population  had  increased 


to  75,570  ;  viz  : 

White  males,   35,384 

White  females,   36,378 

  71,762 

Coloured  males,  free,   664 

Coloured  females,  free,   1,096 

  1,760 

Coloured  males,  slaves,   818 

Coloured  females,  slaves....  1,230 

  2,048 


Total  population,  1805,  75,570 


During  the  last  twenty  years  the  population  has  doubled 
itself;  and  if  the  same  increase  continue  to  the  year  1868, 
there  will  be  764,000,  and  in  1888,  1,620,000.  On  the 
supposition  that  the  population  will  double  every  25  years, 
the  following  would  be  the  result,  beginning  with  the  cen- 


sus  of  1825  : 

In  1825  there  would  be   166,000 

1850    332,000 

"  1875     "    664,000 

1900     "       "    1,328,000 


The  ratio  of  increase  for  the  city  of  New.York  appears 
to  be  as  follows  : 

From  1805  to  1830,     25  years,     160  per  cent. 
From  1830  to  1835,      5  years,  33 
From  1S35  to  1840,      5  years,  15 
From  1840  to  1845,      5  years,  20 
We  give  the  census  of  1830,  '35  and  '40,  together  with 
that  recently  completed  for  1845. 


POPULATION. 


107 


Wards.  1630.  1835.  1540.  1345. 

1st.   11,331  10,380  10,629  12,230 

2d   8.203  7,549  6,394  6,962 

3d   9,599  10,884  11,581  12,900  I 

4th   12,705  15,439  15,770  21.000  I 

5th   17,722  18,495  19,159  20,263  | 

6th   13,570  16,827  17,198  19,343 

7th   15,873  21,481  22,932  25,502  | 

8th   20,729  28,570  29,073  36,846 

9th   22,810  20,618  24,795  30,907 

10th   16,438  20,926  28,026  20,993  i 

11th   14,915  26,845  17,052  27,259  | 

12th   11,808  24,437  11,652  13,378 

13th   12,598  17,130  18,517  22,411 

14th   14,288  17,306  20,235  21,103 

15th   13,202  17,755  19,432 

16th   22,273  40,337 

17th   18,619  27,147 


Total,  202,589    270,^39    312,710  371,102 

Males  in  1845   180,365 

Females  in  1845,   190,732 

Total,   371,102 

The  increase  for  the  5  years  is  58,392. 

In  the  census  of  1845  we  find  the  following  results  : 

Natives  of  Great  Britain,   95,373 

France,   3,763 

«       Germany,   43,416 

**       other  foreign  countries,   3,650 

Total  bom  abroad,   146,202 

Blacks,   11,831 

"       Native  whites,   213,069 

Total,...,   371,102 

Of  those  born  abroad,  61,961  are  not  naturalized. 


108 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


1 


ALMS-HOUSE. 

The  very  extensive  enclosure  and  buildings  occupied  by 
the  Aims-House  department,  stand  on  the  eastern  shore  of 
the  island,  three  miles  from  the  City.Hall,  on  the  imme- 
diate  bank  of  the  East  river.  The  premises,  consisting  of 
26  or  30  acres,  are  enclosed  by  a  stone  wall  ten  feet  in 
height.  The  main  edifice  is  expensively  constructed  of 
stone,  three  stories  in  height,  325  feet  in  length,  and  55  in 
width,  with  two  large  wings  at  each  end.  It  contains  60 
apartments,  a  chapel,  and  two  large  dining-rooms.  Well 
behaved  persons  may  visit  the  Aims-House  at  all  hours. 
Able  bodied  paupers  are  provided  with  work.  A  school 
for  the  children  is  connected  with  the  establishment. 
There  is  a  resident  physician  and  several  assistants  con- 
stantly in  attendance.  The  following  statement  of  the  con- 
dition of  the  establishment  in  November,  1845,  has  been 
given  to  us  by  the  gentlemanly  Commissioner,  Mr.  Ander- 
son : 

Th3  number  of  persons  in  the  several  departments  con- 
nected  with  the  Alms-House  department,  is  4,628.  In  the 
Alms  House  at  Bellevue,  there  are  1,409  persons  :  575 
males,  555  females,  144  boys,  and  135  girls.  In  the  Hos- 
pital there  are  510  patients,  of  whom  313  are  females,  and 
197  are  males.  In  the  Nursery  on  Long  Island,  opposite 
the  site  of  the  Alms-?Iouse,  there  are  556  patients,  and  in 
the  hospital  adjoining,  there  are  90  patients.  In  the  Peni- 
tentiary,  Blackwell's  Island,  there  are  1,095  convicts,  of 
whom  569  are  males,  and  528  are  females.  In  the  hospital 
of  the  Penitentiary  there  are  250  patients.  In  the  Lunatic 
Asylum,  Blackwell's  Island,  there  are  384  inmates.  In  the 
City  Prison  there  are  172  inmates,  of  whom  118  are  males, 
and  54  are  females. 

Connected  with  the  Aims-House  there  is  an  out-door  es- 
tabhshment,  consisting  of  paupers,  foundlings  and  illegiti- 
mates, 4,628  of  whom  receive  a  stipulated  sum  every  week. 
There  are  1,250  out-door  paupers  receiving  weekly  relief 
from  the  Commissioner  of  this  department.    The  whole 


PENITENTIARY, 
Blackweiria  Island. 


CLIMATE  AND  DISEASES. 


109 


expenses  of  the  Alms-House  department  for  the  year  end- 
ing January  1st,  1845,  was  §255,275  85. 

CLIMATE  AND  DISEASES  OF  NEW-YOKK. 

The  average  temperature  of  our  climate  throughout  the 
year  is  55*^  of  Fahrenheit's  thermometer;  and  that  is  also 
the  temperature  of  the  deepest  wells.  The  greatest  degree 
of  cold  ever  experienced  is  6  or  10°  below  zero  ;  but 
that  is  very  rare — having  occurred  in  1780  and  in  1820, 
when  persons  went  berA  oen  this  city  and  Staten  Island  o.i 
the  ice.  In  winter  the  thermometer  rarely  sinks  lower 
than  10°  or  20°  below  the  freezing  point,  and  in  a  few 
hours  the  cold  always  moderates.  The  vicinity  of  the 
ocean  and  the  gulf  stream  produces  a  perceptible  influence 
on  our  atmosphere,  and  conduces  to  ameliorate  the  seve- 
rity of  the  winter.  The  snow  seldom  lasts  more  than  two 
weeks,  in  January  or  February,  and  early  in  March  the 
winter  usually  terminates. 

The  highest  temperature  of  our  summer  is  about  80^ 
or  90,  and  is  very  rarely  of  long  continuance.  T^rom  the 
middle  of  September  to  about  lue  last  of  October,  the 
atmosphere  will  generally  vie  with  any  in  the  world  for 
serenity  and  beauty.  Winter  generally  sets  in  about 
Christmas,  and  continues  for  about  two  months. 

The  following  table  will  give  an  idea  of  the  weather 
from  day  to  day,  during  the  year.  The  first  frosts  appear 
about  the  middle  of  October,  and  the  last  are  usually  seen 
in  April,  and  occasion:,1ly  in  May.  Gardening  in  the 
vicinity  begins  in  March,  and  the  forests  are  usually  in 
full  leaf  in  the  latter  part  of  April  or  beginning  of  May. 
Sudden  changes  of  temperature  frequently  occur  in  sum- 
mer and  winter,  which,  unless  guarded  against,  will  cause 
severe  colds  and  other  diseases ; — but  New. York,  gene- 
rally speaking,  is  as  healthy  a  spot  as  any  city  in  the 
world. 


10 


110 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YOr.K. 


i 


X 
H 

O 


o 

o 
o 

o 

O 


1 

ci       c^frrcr"- c»  -  o>  eft' 

sp'i!A\ 
SuiiiBAaJ^i 

I  c  3»     ri'c^    sT"'^  ;^ 


Mfifilfii 


iiifife 


iiffli 


c  c  »  o  -  N  oc  =  lO  -     ^  CO 

:::::::::::: 

MM 


-If 


^  II- 

m 
m 

fifi 


r 


APPORTIONI^lE.NT  OF  SCHOOL  MONEY. 


Ill 


APPORTIONMENT  OF  SCHOOL  MONEY  FOR  THE  YEAR  1845. 

Whole  amount  apportioned,   ^187,089  44 


Schools  of  the  Public  School  So- 
ciety,  f  122,739  78 

Ward  Schools. 

1st  Ward,  83,454  29 

4th     "    8,677  66 

6th    5,790  82 

7th     "    4,445  57 

10th    6,163  78 

11th     «    7,889  71 

12th     "    3,427  69 

14th     "    9,018  44 

16th    1,052  42 

17th     "    2,364  96 

  52,285  34 


Harlcem  School,   1,500  89 

Yorkville  Pubhc  School   ],945  45 

Manhattanville  Free  School,   730  70 

Hamilton  Free  School,   248  14 

Mechanics'  Society's  School,   486  26 

New-York  Orphan  Asylum  School,  1,328  69 
Roman  Catholic  Orphan  Asylum 

School   1,536  39 

Leake  &  Watt's  Orphan  House,.  460  92 
Protestant  Half-Orpha.,'?.  Asylum 

School   1,551  75 

Roman  Catholic  Half-Orphan  Asy- 
lum School,   775  88 

School  of  the  Institution  for  the 

Blind   702  89 

School  of  the  Association  for  the 

benefit  of  Coloured  Orphans,  796  36 


$187,089  44 


112 


PICTUKE  OF  NEW-TORK. 


"I 


DAGUERKIAN  GALLERIES. 

The  most  extensive  establishment  of  the  kind  is 
Plumbe's,  at  251  Broadway.  The  free  gallery  attached 
to  it  is  mucli  frequented  by  persons  interested  in  Daguer- 
rian  pictures,  as  it  containo  a  very  extensive  collection  i 
of  choice  specimens  of  the  art.  Several  rooms  are  attach- 
ed to  the  establishment  for  the  various  purposes  connected 
with  the  making  of  pictures.  Mr.  Plumbe  is  esteemed 
one  of  the  very  best  Daguerreotypists  in  the  world. 

Anthony,  Edwards  &  Co.,  have  also  an  extensive  gal- 
lery,  possessing  portraits  of  most  of  the  distinguished  men 
of  the  country.  These  productions  are  equally  as  good 
as  Plumbe's. 

Chilton's  gallery  is  also  worthy  of  attention,  as  his 
miniatures  are  very  excellent. 

Parkinson,  an  able  Daguerreotypist,  is  celebrated  for  the 
beauty  and  perfection  of  out-door  scenes,  buildings,  &c. 
A  very  splendid  view  of  Niagara  Falls,  and  views  of  most 
of  the  public  buildings  in  New-York,  may  be  seen  at  his 
rooms.  In  this  department  of  the  business  he  is  unequalled 
— his  miniatures  are  very  perfect. 

The  prices  for  miniatures  in  the  various  Daguerreotype 
establishments,  vary  from  one  dollar  to  five  dollars,  but 
none  that  are  really  good  can  be  obtained  for  less  than 
three  or  four  dollars. 

ARTISTS. 

In  this  city  there  are  over  three  hundred  artists  in  the 
various  branches  of  portrait,  miniature,  landscape  and 
historical  painting.  The  most  distinguished  painters  in 
America  find  in  New. York  a  liberal  appreciation  of,  and 
remuneration  for  their  talents. 

In  portrait  painting,  Messrs.  Page,  Inraan,  Elliott,  Ing- 
ham,  Huntington,  Mooney,  and  some  others,  rank  among 
the  highest  in  America.  Their  rooms  generally  have  spe- 
cimens of  their  work,  and  the  lovers  of  art  will  be  generally 
received  in  them  with  kindness  and  hospitality.  i 

Mr.  Elliott's  rooms,  which  are  in  the  Granite  Building,  i 
corner  of  Broadway  and  Chambers-street,  can  be  visited 


SIR  HENRY  Clinton's  house. 
Broad  \V!iy. 


ARTISTS. 


113 


at  all  hours  by  the  stranger,  who  will  find  among  his  pic. 
tures  many  well  worth  attention.  Mr.  Elliott's  portraits 
are  very  much  admired  for  their  truth  to  nature,  freedom 
of  handling  and  beauty  of  colouring — particularly  his 
female  heads. 

Mr,  May's  rooms,  44  Vesey-street,  are  also  well  worth 
visiting.  His  portraits  are  highly  valued,  and  few  painters 
have  more  promise  for  the  future. 

Among  the  landscape  painters  of  New-York,  the  most 
conspic«iOus  are  Cole,  Durand  and  Cropscy. 

Mr.  Cropsey,  whose  rooms  are  in  the  Granite  Building, 
is  a  young  artist,  and  is  destined  to  take  a  high  rank  in 
this  department  of  art. 

Mr.  Matteson,  historical  painter,  is,  beginning  to  take 
high  rank,  and  has  already  produced  some  very  excellent 
works.  Boyle,  May,  Chapman  and  Hicks  have  also  pro- 
duced pictures  which  place  them  high  in  the  estimation  of 
the  lovers  of  art. 

Kneeland,  Frazee  and  Launitz,  are  names  well  known 
among  the  admirers  of  sculpture.  Mr.  Kneeland's  busts 
are  among  the  finest  ever  modelled  in  this  country.  No 
Ameiican,  except  Powers,  has  e\  er  surpassed  them.  He 
has  also  acquired  great  celebrity  for  his  equestrian  statue 
of  Washington, — one  of  the  most  perfect  works  of  the 
kind  produced  in  modern  times.  It  is  destined  for  the 
national  capitol. 

Miniature  painters  abound  in  New-York.  Among  the 
most  conspicuous  are  Cummings,  P'anshaw,  Hite,  Shum- 
way  and  McDougal.  Mr.  McDougal's  rooms  contain 
many  interesting  specimens  of  this  department  of  art,  and 
will  well  repay  the  visiter  for  a  call  on  the  gentlemanly 
artist. 

SIR  HENRY  CLTNTO?i'S  HOUSE, 

Fuoi  of  Broaaway. 
This  is  one  of  the  curious  relics  of  the  style  of  building  in 
New-Yt>rk  during  the  last  century.    This  house  is  now 
occupied  as  a  private  dwelling  by  one  of  the  merchants  of 
New-York. 


114 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


There  are  numerous  other  houses  of  old  standing  in 
different  parts  of  the  ciiy,  remarkable  for  their  appearance, 
but  our  limits  will  not  allow  us  to  describe  them. 

BANKS  OF  NEW-YORK. 

Among  these  are  some  of  the  most  costly  and  elaborately 
constructed  public  buildings  of  the  city.  The  engraving 
on  the  opposite  page  is  a  view  of  the  Union  Bank  and  the 
National  Bank,  in  Wall-street.  There  are  several  very 
elegant  buildings  occupied  by  some  of  the  banks  of  Wall- 
street,  among  which  we  can  name  the  Bank  of  America  ; 
the  Merchants'  Bank  ;  the  Bank  of  the  State  of  New- 
York  ;  the  American  Exchange  Bank,  and  the  new  Phe- 
nix  Bank.  The  last  two  mentioned,  occupy  large  roorr-^ 
in  the  rear  ;  the  front  rooms  being  used  for  insurance 
offices.  There  are  now  twenty-four  banks  in  the  city  of 
New-York,  and  three  in  Brooklyn.  The  New-York 
banks  are  located  as  follows ; 

Thirteen  in  Wall-street,  two  in  Greenwich-street,  one 
in  Broadway.,  one  in  the  Bowery,  one  in  Chatham-street, 
one  in  William. street,  two  in  Pearl-street,  one  in  Grand- 
street,  one  in  Hudson-street,  and  one  in  Avenue  D. 

GAS  WORKS, 

In  Canal-street,  corner  of  Centre-street,  This  is  a  very 
interesting  place,  for  here  the  visiter  can  see  the  manner  in 
which  the  gas  that  lights  the  city  is  made.  The  machine- 
ry is  very  interesting,  and  perfectly  accessible  at  the  usual 
business  hours. 

GYMNASIUiMS. 

The  princ'nal  establishment  of  this  kind  is  situated  in  a 
large  and  very  commodious  building,  at  Nos.  159  and  161 
Crosby-street.  Fencing,  sparring,  wrestling,  reading, 
dressing  and  bathing  rooms  are  found  in  this  establishment 
and  accommodatior's  for  all  the  exercises  practised  in  Eu. 
ropean  gymnasiums.  The  instituti'^n  is  very  complete  in 
all  its  departments,  and  forms  one  of  the  most  interesting 
objects  for  visiters  in  the  city.    Terms — one  year,  $12  ; 


STORES.  115 


six  months,  §8  ;  three  months,  $5.  J.  T.  Hatfield,  pro- 
prietor ;  H.  T.  Swiggs,  director.  This  estabhshment  has 
the  patronage  of  some  of  the  most  distinguished  members 
of  the  medical  profession  in  this  city.  As  a  means  of  pre- 
serving health,  developing  the  physical  faculties,  and  giving 
ease,  strength  and  grace  to  the  body— -gymnastic  exercises 
are  of  vast  importance.  Thousands  of  persons  in  this  city, 
of  sedentary  habits,  are  now  suffering,  and  laying  the  seeds 
of  disease  and  death  in  their  constitutions^  who  might  gain 
relief  and  prolong  their  lives  by  a  timely  resort  to  the 
manly  exercises  above  mentioned.  It  is  strange  that  with 
the  vast  amount  of  medical  and  scientific  testimony  that 
exists  in  their  favour,  they  should  be  so  much  neglect, 
ed.  These  rooms  are  most  used  in  the  evening,  when 
the  visiter  can  gain  admission  on  application  at  the  door. 

FANCY  STORE. 

The  fancy  store  at  No.  259  Broadway,  is  stocked  with 
an  immense  variety  of  fancy  articles,  of  rare  and  curious 
workmanship,  and  numerous  articles  of  luxury  and  taste — 
presenting  a  very  beautiful  melange,  which  is  well  worth 
visiting. 

LOOKING  GLASS  STORE. 

Messrs.  Williams  &,  Stevens,  343  Broadway,  have  a  very 
elegant  establishment,  got  up  with  great  taste,  for  the 
sale  and  manufacture  of  picture-frames  and  mirrors,  of 
every  size  and  price,  from  one  thousand  dollars  down  to 
ordinary  prices;  and  frames  of  the  most  elaborate  and  costly 
workmanship  may  be  seen  here. 

PUBLIC  BATHS. 

There  are  three  principal  bathing  establishments  in 
New-York,  besides  many  smailer  ones — the  latter  are, 
however,  inferior  to  the  larger  establishments  in  comfort, 
neatness,  and  general  accommodations.  Stoppani's  rooms, 
corner  of  Walker.street  and  Broadway,  are  very  sumptu- 
ously finished,  with  marble  baths  and  other  elegant  and 
useful  accompaniments.    The  establishment  is  well  worth 


116 


PICTUrvE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


visiting,  as  it  is  constructed  with  great  taste  and  elegance. 
Single  baths,  25  cents.  A  set  of  ladies'  baihs  are  at- 
tached  to  the  establishment,  wiih  a  separate  entrance  in 
Walker-street,  which  deserve  patronage.  Warm,  cold 
and  shower  baths  may  be  enjoyed  in  this  establishment 
from  6  A.  M.  till  11  P.  M. 

Palmo's  baths,  in  Chambers-street,  opposite  the  Park, 
are  much  frequented,  and  are  in  some  particulars  supeiior 
to  Stoppani's.  The  visiter  will  always  be  treated  with  po. 
lite  attention,  and  in  all  except  decoration,  these  baths  are 
superior  to  their  Broadway  rivals.    Price  of  baths,  25  cts. 

Rabineau's  baths,  in  the  Astor  House,  entrance  on 
Vesey-street,  is  a  very  neat  and  popular  establishment, 
and  is  entitled  to  patronage.  Medicinal  baths  are  prepared 
here,  under  the  care  of  the  proprietor,  who  is  a  physician. 

There  are  several  other  establishments  about  town  of  an 
inferior  class,  but  very  much  frequented  by  the  public,  and 
open  at  low  prices. 

Floating  Baths. — There  are  several  establishments  of 
this  kind.  The  principal  ones  are  stationed  at  Castle  Gar- 
den, and  are  open  only  during  the  summer  months.  The 
salt  water  of  the  bay  is  used,  and  persons  may  be  accom- 
modated with  a  public  bath  basin,  or  small  private  rooms. 
Price  25  cents  for  each  bath.  There  is  also  a  ladies'  de- 
partment, elegantly  fitted  up. 

There  are  several  other  minor  floating  baths  ;  one  at  the 
foot  of  Canal-street,  one  at  the  foot  of  Chrisiopher-street, 
and  several  on  the  East  river. 


OLD  BUILDINGS  IN  NEW-YORK. 

THE       Vr  ALTON  HOrSE," 

No.  326  Pparl-slreot. 
The  "Walton  House"  was  built  in  1754,  by  William 
Walton,  a  prosperous  English  gentleman,  who  resided  in 
Hanover  square.    This  then  splendid  dw^elling  was  built 
out  of  town,  as  a  kind  of  country  seat.    It  was  bequeathed 


I 


OLD  HOUSE. 


BILL  OF  MORTALITY. 


117 


by  the  founder  to  his  nephew  William,  who  was  one  of  His 
Majesty's  council  before  the  revolution.  It  was  built  of 
bricks  brought  from  Holland,  ornamented  with  brown  stone 
water  tables,  lintels,  ccc. 

The  hall  is  an  ample  room,  and  the  staircase  of  large 
carved  work,  gives  the  whole  a  most  imposing  air  of  aristo- 
cratic grandeur.  It  is  now  a  boarding-house,  but  well 
worth  the  attention  of  the  curious. 


DUTCH  HOUSES  IN  1630. 

The  annexed  cut  exhibits  the  fashion  of  most  of  the 
Dutch  buildings  in  the  early  settlement  of  New- York. 

The  building  here  represented  stood  in  Broad-street,  and 
was  built  by  Peter  Minuit,  the  first  governor  of  New-Am- 
sterdam. This  house  was  built  in  1629,  and  was  a  famous 
house  in  its  time.  The  greater  part  of  Broad-street  was 
originally  built  up  in  the  same  manner.  The  houses  were 
all  built  of  bricks  brought  from  Holland,  and  were  con- 
structed with  the  gable  end  to  the  street,  and  usually  with 
a  sharp  and  pointed  roof.  There  is  scarce  a  building  of 
the  kind  now  left  in  the  city. 

BILL  OF  MORTALITY  FOR  THE  YEAR  1844. 

Abstract  of  the  Annual  Report  of  Eli  Leivitt,  City  In. 
spector^  of  the  deaths  in  the  city  of  New-  York,  for  the 
year  1844. 

The  whole  number  of  deaths  reported  during  the  year 
1844,  amounts  to  8,955,  "3ing  262  more  than  the  number 
registered  in  the  preceding  year,  and  221  less  than  in  the 
year  1842. 

Of  these  there  were  :—         Males.     Females.  Total. 

Whites,   4  534       3,983  8,517 

Coloured   219         220  438 


4,753      4,202  8,955 
Of  this  number,  the  premature  and  still  births  amounted 
to  828,  viz  : — whites,  786;  coloured,  42.    Total  deaths, 
exclusive  of  still-born,  &c.,  8,127. 


118 


riCTURE  OF  NEW. YORK. 


The  number  of  the  deaths  of  white  males  exceeded  that 
of  the  females  631.  Returns  are  ordered  by  law,  and 
weekly  statements  of  deaths  and  diseases  are  published 
in  all  the  papers,  and  at  the  end  of  the  year  a  minute  an- 
nual report  is  made  by  the  City  Inspector. 

The  interments  during  the  year  1844,  were  in  the  fol- 


lowing cemeteries  : 

Africa'n,   190 

Associate  Reformed,   24 

Baptist,   139 

Catholic,   3,043 

Dutch  Reformed,   214 

Friends,   52 

German,   325 

Hebrew,   60 

Methodist   1,388 

Presbyterian,   753 

Marble  Cemeteries,   143 

Moravian,   1 

Potter's  Field,   408 

Randall's  Island,    840 

Removed  from  the  city,  »   983 

Not  stated,   392 

Total,   8,955 

Of  the  above  there  died  at — 

Aims-House,  Bellevue,   86 

Hospital,    402 

Penitentiary,  Blackwell's  Island,   72 

Penitentiary  Hospital,   5 

Lunatic  Asylum,  Blackwell's  Island,   44 

House  of  Refuge,   1 

City  Hospital,   119 

City  Prison,   13 

Long  Island  Farms,   55 

Home  for  aged  coloured  females,   1 

Orphari  Asylum,  Prince-street,   1 

Total,   798 


BILL  OF  MORTALITY. 


119 


Deaths  by  the  principal  diseases 

in  1844, 

compared  with 

the  two  previous  years 

1st  CUiss. 

1S32. 

1S43. 

1S44. 

181 

117 

20 

60 

118 

51 

416 

223 

225 

191 

63 

164 

513 

378 

329 

90 

63 

77 

214 

191 

131 

2d  Class. 

131 

144 

156 

327 

355 

340 

129 

120 

127 

3d  Class. 

261 

191 

167 

394 

430 

473 

601 

551 

612 

108 

108 

120 

52 

37 

64 

Brain,  disease  of,  ...  .. 

22 

111 

173 

4th  Class. 

530 

540 

471 

Hydro-thorax,  .  . 

70 

70 

49 

1339 

1503 

1466 

40 

D'5 

9A 

5th  Class. 

TX  J- 

1  lU 

IIP 

1  flQ 
J  oy 

6ih  Class. 

54 

71 

Gastritus,  &c  ,  

282 

249 

Sth  Class. 

Child  birth,  

69 

78 

54 

nth  Class. 

Old  age,  

110 

108 

104 

mh  Clast 

31 

41 

46 

Of  the  first  class  of  diseases,  the  deaths  by  small  pox, 
measles,  and  cholera  infantum,  were  213  less  in  1844  than 
in  1843. 


120 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YOKK. 


Of  the  third  class,  the  deaths  by  five  of  the  diseases 
above  stated  have  each  increased ;  of  those  reported  of 
convulsions,  471  were  under  the  age  of  two  years.  Hy. 
drocephalus  has  taken  the  precedence  of  Cholera  In- 
fantum,  and  has  become  the  most  formidable  disease  to 
which  infants  are  exposed. 


Number  of  deaths  in  each  month  in  1844  and  1839. 


1844. 

1S?9.  j 

1844. 

1839. 

..  686 

568  1  July,   

836 

739 

.  605 

836 

890 

r.Iarch,  

..  644 

587  1  September,... 

720 

708 

..  560 

528  i  October,  

Go7 

612 

May,  

.  598 

491  November,.... 

662 

592 

.  620 

483  1  December,.... 

707 

550 

8,141  7,361 

Still  born,   828  592 


Total,   8,969  7,953 


ARRIVALS  AT  THE  PORT  OF  NEW-YORK  DU- 
RING  THE  YEAR  1844. 


Steamers,     3 

Ships,   471 

Barques,   351 

Brigs,   929 

Galliots,.   8 

Schooners,   443 

Sloops,   3 


2,208 

Arrivals  coastwise,   5,360 


Total,   7,568 

Whole  number  in  1843   6,566 

Increase,   1,002 


TRINITY  CHURCH. 
Page  1-21. 


CHUnCHES  IN  KEW-YORK. 


121 


Of  the  arrivals  from  Foreign  Ports,  there  were, 

American  vessels,     1,575 

British        do   321 

Bremen      do.     Hamburgh,   83 

Swedish      do   91 

Norwegian  do   30 

French       do   11 

All  others,   97 


Total,   2,208 

Passengers  arrived  from  Foreign  Countries. 

In  1844,   61,002  ;  In  1841,   57,337 

1843,   46,302]      1840,   62,797 

1842,   74,949  I      1839,   48,152 


cnuRcnEis  iiv  new-yokk. 

TRINITY  CHURCH— (Episcopal,) 

BROADWAY,  OPPOSITE  WALL-STREET. 

Erected  in  1841-1845. 
This  is  the  principal  church  building  belonging  to  the 
Episcopalians  in  the  city,  and  is  the  mother  of  all  the 
others.  The  first  place  of  worship  in  the  city  was  the 
*'  Chapel  in  the  Fort,"  n'hich  was  originally  the  Dutch 
Church  ;  but  after  the  city  was  surrendered  to  the  Engh'sh, 
in  1664,  it  became  the  Episcopal  Church,  and  was  called 
The  King's  Chapel."  In  1696,  a  small  square  building 
called  "  Trinity  Church,"  was  erected  on  the  site  of  the 
present  elegant  buildmg,  on  Broadway,  at  the  head  of 
Wall-street.  In  1735,  the  church  edifice  was  enlarged, 
and  a  farther  enlargement  took  place  in  1737,  until  it  was 
140  feet  long,  and  70  feet  wide.  In  1776,  the  edifice  was 
destroyed  by  fire.  In  1788,  a  new  building  was  erected 
on  the  same  site,  of  nearly  the  same  dimensions,  which 


11 


122 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


was  taken  down  in  1839,  and  preparations  made  for  the 
new  edifice,  now  nearly  completed.  The  corner  stone  of 
the  present  building  was  laid  June  3,  1841.  When  com-  i 
pleted,  it  will  probably  be  the  most  elegant  church  edifice 
in  the  city,  and  undoubtedly  the  most  costly  one.  The 
amount  of  its  cost  has  never  been  publicly  stated.  The 
material  of  the  building  is  a  fine,  reddish  sandstone, 
nicely  dressed.  It  covers  a  large  space  of  ground,  meas- 
uring, when  we  include  the  tower,  buttresses,  &:c.,  not 
much  short  of  200  feet  long,  and  more  than  80  feet  wide  ; 
and  yet  so  much  of  the  space  is  occupied  by  the  tower  at 
the  east  end,  and  vestry  at  the  west  end,  and  space  for  the 
chancel,  &-c.,  and  having  no  galleries,  it  is  not  computed 
to  accommodate  in  the  pews  more  than  about  800  persons. 
Externally  the  building  has  a  most  imposing  appearance. 

The  walls  of  the  house  are  about  40  feet  high,  and  are 
higjply  ornamented,  having  large  buttresses  between  the 
windows,  terminating  in  tall  pinnacles.  The  tower  and 
steeple  at  the  east  end  of  the  house  is  the  principal  object 
which  engages  the  eye  of  the  beholder :  and  whether  we 
consider  its  comely  proportions,  or  its  style  of  finish,  or  its 
immense  height,  towering  a?  it  does  264  feet  into  the  air, 
it  must  be  considered  a  noble  specimen  of  architecture, 
and  a  fine  ornament  to  that  part  of  the  city. 


ST.  MARK'S  CHURCH— (Episcopal,) 

STUVVESANT-STREET,    EAST    OF    THE  BOWERY. 

Erected  in  1799. 
Si.  Mark's  Church  is  built  of  smooth  stone,  of  a  dark 
gray  colour.    It  measures  about  100  feet  by  66.    A  school 
:   room  and  vestry  are  attached  to  the  rear,  occupying  about 
I   a  third  of  the  width  of  the  building,  and  running  out  some  , 
I   thirty  or  forty  feet.    The  steeple  is  on  the  front  of  the  | 
building  facing  the  south,  and  is  very  lofty.    It  was  not  I 
built  in  its  present  form  until  1826.    The  exterior  of  the  ' 
church  is  plain,  and  has,  at  first  view,  rather  an  antique 
look  ;  but  it  has  a  very  venerable  appearance,  and  as  a 
whole,  is  in  good  keeping  with  the  purposes  for  which  it  is 


ST.    mark's  ClfURCH. 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 


123 


occupied.  It  stands  on  the  former  estate  of  Petrus  Stuy. 
vesant,  the  last  of  the  Dutch  governors,  and  his  remains 
lie  in  a  vault  under  the  church  :  a  brown  tablet  on  the  east 
side  of  the  church,  outside,  marks  the  place.  The  re- 
mains of  Col.  Henry  Sloughter,  one  of  the  English  govern, 
ors,  lie  in  the  same  vault,  and  those  of  Gov.  Daniel  D. 
Tompkins,  in  another  near  by.  The  heads  of  three  dy- 
nasties,  Dutch,  English  and  American,  are  thus  reposing 
in  peace  together.  This  church  is  in  a  very  flourishing 
condition.    The  Rev.  Dr.  Anthon  is  the  present  minister. 


ST.  GEORGE'S  CHURCH— (Efiscofal,) 

CORNER  OF  BEEKMAN  AND  CLIFF  STREETS. 

Erected  in  1752. 
This  building  was  originally  a  chapel  of  Trinity  Church, 
and  continued  in  this  relation  until  the  year  1811.  Hence 
the  spot  it  occupies  was  formerly  called     Chapel  Hill,'* 
and  the  street  in  front,  "  Chapel-street."    The  vicinity 
was,  at  that  time,  a  crowded  and  badly  built  part  of  the 
city.    The  church  is  built  of  brovvU  stone,  and  is  104  feet 
I     long  and  72  feet  wide.    It  had  originally  a  tall  steeple, 
;     but  being  destroyed  by  fire  in  1814,  it  w^as  rebuilt  Vv'ith 
i     the  same  walls,  with  a  round  blunt  turret,  some  30  feet 
high  above  the  top  of  the  building,  containing  a  bell  and 
a  clock.    It  is  a  very  substantial  building,  though  exter. 
i     nally  quite  plain.    The  interior  of  the  church  is  finished 
I     in  a  style  much  more  r.ch  and  imposing,  and  strikes  the 
1     beholder  at  once,  on  entering  a  place  so  unpretending 
i     in  its  exterior. 

i  A  former  minister  of  this  church,  the  Rev.  John  Ogilvie, 
!  D.  D.,  was  struck  with  apoplexy  while  reading  the  service 
in  the  church,  and  died  in  a  tew  days  after.  This  hap. 
;  pened  in  the  year  1774  The  late  Rev.  Dr.  Milnor,  the 
I  lamented  rector  of  this  church,  died  more  suddenly,  with 
1    scarce  a  moment's  warning,  in  the  early  part  of  1845. 

The  Rev.  Stephen  H.  Tyng,  D.  D.,  is  the  present 
i  minister. 


124 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


CHRIST'S  CHURCH— (Episcopal,) 

ANTHONY-STREET,  NEAR  BROADWAY. 

Erected  in  1823. 
This  church  was  founded  in  the  year  1794,  and  then 
occupied  a  wooden  building  in  Ann-street,  near  Nassau. 
But  in  1823,  this  house  was  erected,  and  the  congregation 
removed  to  it.  The  rear  and  side  walls  are  of  very  rough 
smali  stones,  but  the  front  is  very  beautiful  smooth  red 
stone.  The  structure  measures  90  feet  by  64.  In  each 
side  there  are  five  large  pointed  windows,  containing  90 
panes  each,  of  common-sized  plain  glass,  beside  the  points. 
The  front  presents  three  doors,  of  a  common  size,  all 
alike,  with  a  large  pointed  window  ever  each.  The 
middle  section  of  the  front  presents  a  small  projection, 
with  flat  columns  on  each  side.  On  the  centre  of  the 
roof  in  front  there  is  a  tower  of  stone  of  about  15  feet 
square,  and  perhaps  20  feet  high,  with  pinnacles  on  the 
four  corners.  The  present  minister  of  this  church  is  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Lyell. 


FRENCH  CHURCH— (Episcopal,) 

FRANKLIN-STREET,  CORNER  OF  CHURCH-STREET. 

Erected  in  1834. 
This  is  a  rich  looking  building,  of  fine  hammered  white 
marble,  measuring  100  feet  by  50,  and  built  at  a  cost  of 
$60,000.  It  has  neither  tower  nor  spire,  but  on  the  front 
a  deep  pediment  of  between  20  and  30  feet  in  depth,  sup. 
ported  by  four  massive  pillars  in  front,  raised  on  a  platform 
six  steps  from  the  sidewalk,  and  two  others  far  under  the 
pediment,  one  on  each  side  of  the  main  entrance.  The 
front  of  the  main  building  is  plain,  with  one  large  door 
and  no  window.  On  each  side  there  are  three  long 
windows,  square  at  the  top.  The  whole  building,  though 
not  ornamented,  has  about  it  an  air  of  silent  grandeur. 
The  congregation  now  worshipping  in  this  church,  for 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 


125 


merly  occupied  a  large   stone   building  standing  on 
Pine-street,  near  Nassau-street,  which  was  erected   in  j 
1704,  by  some  French  Protestants,  who  founded  their  * 
church  upon  the  principles  and  model  of  that  in  Geneva,  j 
During  the  war  of  the  revolution,  the  interior  of  this  church  { 
was  nearly  destroyed  by  the  British  soldiery.    In  1794,  it 
underwent  a  thorough  repair;  and  in  1803,  the  members, 
with  their  minister,  joined  the  Episcopal  church,  and  from 
that  time  have  been  known  as  the  church  Du  Si.  Esprit. 
Like  many  of  the  other  churches,  the  business  of  the  mer- 
chants drove  the  families  into  the  upper  part  of  the  city, 
and  the  result  was  the  sale  of  their  property  in  Pine-street, 
and  the  building  of  a  new  church. 


ST.  PAUL'S  CHAPEL— (Episcopal,) 

BROADWAY,   BETWEEN  FULTON  AND  VESEY  STREETS. 

Erected  in  1766. 

This  is  the  third  Episcopal  church  erected  in  the  city. 
It  is  a  venerable  looking  building,  of  dark  gray  stone,  with 
a  tower  of  stone  and  pointed  rteeple  of  wood  on  the 
western  end,  opposite  to  the  main  entrance,  different  in 
this  respect  from  any  other  church  in  the  city. 

The  total  length  of  the  edifice,  including  the  portico  in 
front  and  tower  in  the  rear,  is  151  feet,  and  the  width  is 
73  feet.    The  height  of  the  steeple  is  203  feet.   There  are 

itwo  bells  hanging  in  the  belfry,  which  once  belonged  to 
the  chime  in  Trinity  church. 

On  the  front,  facing  Broadway,  a  large  pediment,  18 
feet  in  depth,  is  displayed,  supported  by  four  Ionic  co- 
lumns. In  a  niche,  in  the  centre  of  the  pediment,  is  a 
carved  figure  of  St.  Paul  leaning  on  a  sword.  There  is 
also  in  the  front  a  slab  of  white  marble  inserted,  bearing 
an  inscription  in  remembrance  of  General  Montgomery, 
who  fell  at  Quebec,  during  the  revolutionary  war,  and 
whose  remains  were  removed  to  New- York  by  order  of 
the  state,  in  July,  1818. 

The  sides  of  the  building  are  not  ornamented,  and 
I    excepting  the  portico  in  front,  the  whole  exterior  of  the 


IP 


126 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


building  presents  a  plain  and  sober  appearance.  When 
St.  Paul's  Chapel  was  built  it  was  quite  at  the  outskirts  of 
the  city;  and  the  year  in  which  the  foundation  was  laid, 
the  lot  on  which  it  stands,  near  the  cemetery,  was  plough- 
ed up  and  sowed  with  wheat.    The  cemetery  is  a  large  ; 
plot  of  ground,  extending  from  Broadway  to Church-street,  j 
and  from  Fulton  to  Vesey  streets.    It  is  now  filled  with  I 
tombs  and  single  graves,  and  contains  some  elegant  mo-  i 
numents.    At  the  side  of  the  church,  and  near  Broadway, 
a  tall  column  of  white  marble  has  been  erected  in  memory  j 
of  Thomas  Addis  Emmet,  the  celebrated  Irish  barrister  and 
patriot,  who  died  here  in  1827.    Inscriptions  are  made  on  i 
three  sides,  one  in  English,  one  in  Latin,  and  one  in  Irish. 

ST.  JOHN'S  CHAPEL— (Episcofal.) 

VARICK-STREET,  ON  THE  EAST  SIDE  OF  ST.  JOHN'S  PARK. 

Erected  in  1807. 
The  situation  of  this  church  is  not  surpassed  by  any 
church  in  the  city,  and  the  building  itself  presents  altoge- 
ther aa  imposing  appearance.  The  material  of  which  the 
walls  are  composed  is  a  brownish  sand  stone  ;  and  the 
Corinthian  order  is  generally  followed  in  the  architecture. 
It  covers  a  large  space  of  ground,  being  frcin  outside  to 
outside,  132  feet  in  length  and  80  feet  in  width.  The 
portico  in  front  i?  about  20  feet  deep,  and  the  pediment  is 
supported  by  four  large  columns,  which  stand  on  a  plat- 
form raised  five  or  six  feet  from  the  ground,  to  a  level 
with  the  floor  of  the  main  building.  The  edifice  being 
thus  raised  from  the  ground,  presents  a  more  sightly 
appearance. 

The  spire  of  the  church  is  very  lofty,  being,  as  it  is 
stated,  214  feet  and  six  inches  from  the  ground,  and  with 
the  exception  of  the  spire  of  Trinity  Church,  is  the  highest 
in  the  city.  The  side  walls  of  the  church  are  considera- 
bly ornamented,  and  a  heavy  ballustrade  passes  around  the 
roof.  ; 

At  the  eastern  end  of  the  main  building,  and  adjoining  j 


BAPTIST  CHURCH, 


Broome  Street 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 


127 


it,  the  Sabbath  school  room  was  erected  in  1826.  This  is 
considerably  narrower  than  the  church,  and  consequently 
not  seen  much  from  the  front,  but  is  a  long  building,  con- 
taining three  Sunday  school  rooms,  a  vestry  room,  and 
other  rooms  for  various  societies  and  committees  connect- 
ed with  the  church. 

Hudson  Square,  better  known  at  this  day  as  St.  John's 
Park,  is  a  fine  large  square  in  front  of  the  church,  extend- 
ing from  Varick  to  Kudson-street,  east  and  west,  and  from 
Beach  to  Laight-street,  north  and  south.  It  is  not  like 
most  of  the  ether  squares  in  the  city,  a  public  promenade  ; 
but  the  gates  are  kept  locked,  it  being  considered  private 
property. 


FIRST  BAPTIST  CHURCH, 

CORNER  OF  BROOME  AND  ELIZABETH  STREETS. 

Erected  in  184L 
The  former  church  edifice  had  been  in  Gold-street,  near 
Fulton,  but  in  1841  this  building  was  erected,  and  the  con- 
gregation removed  here.  The  building  was  designed  by 
Mr.  Lefevre,  of  this  city,  and  does  him  much  credit  as  an 
architect.  The  following  particulars  are  copied,  in  part, 
from  a  description  given  of  the  building  in  the  appendix  to 
the  Report  of  the  American  and  Foreign  Bible  Society,  for 
the  year  1842:  The  walls  are  of  a  blueish  stone,  princi- 
pally from  Blackwell's  Island,  and  from  the  old  meeting 
house  in  Gold-street,  '^he  window  lintels,  cornices  and 
battlements  are  of  brown  sandstone.  The  dimensions  of 
the  house  are  90  feet  by  75 — the  side  walls  42  feet  high, 
and  the  apex  of  the  battlements  71  feet.  The  heads  of  the 
windows  in  the  side  walls,  six  in  each  side,  are  square-head 
designs,  executed  with  tasteful  tracery-work.  The  front 
of  the  house  presents  two  octangular  towers  at  the  two 
extremities,  and  a  slight  projection  in  the  middle  portion, 
with  buttr(3sses  raised  to  the  top  of  the  building.  In  the 
projecting  portion  of  the  front  are  three  doors  of  moderate 
size,  and  immediately  over  them  is  a  grand,  pointed  v/in- 


128 


PICTURE  OF  NEW^YORK. 


dow,  22  feet  wide,  and  41  feet  high.  There  are  two  other 
pointed,  and  two  square-headed  windows  placed  in  the  re- 
ceding portions  of  the  front.  The  interior  of  the  church  is 
well  finished,  but  not  gaudy.  It  has  a  gallery  on  three 
sides,  and  a  second  gallery  in  front,  for  the  Sabbath  school 
children.  The  floor  of  the  basement  is  but  about  three  or 
four  steps  down,  which  brings  the  basement  rooms,  for 
lecture  room.  Sabbath  school  room,  &c.,  nearly  above  the 
ground,  which  of  course  elevates  the  whole  building.  The 
front  of  the  building,  except  the  main  entrance  to  the 
church,  is  divided  into  rooms  for  the  accommodation  of  the 
Baptist  Home  Missionary  Society,  and  the  American  and 
Foreign  Bible  Society.  These  rooms  are  very  conveniently 
arranged.  The  entrance  to  each  is  through  the  octagons 
on  the  corners.    Rev.  Dr.  Cone  is  the  present  minister. 


ST.  PATRICK'S  CATHEDRAL— (Roman  Catholic,) 

CORNER  OF  PRINCE  AND  MOTT  STREETS. 

Erected  in  1815. 
This  building  is  very  spacious.  When  first  erected  it 
measured  120  feet  by  80  ;  since  which,  36  feet  more  have 
been  added  to  the  length,  making  it  now  1.^.6  feet  long, 
standing  on  Prince-street,  and  covering  in  its  length  the 
whole  space  from  Mott-street  to  Mulberry-streety  fronting 
on  Mott-street.  The  side  walls  and  rear  are  built  of  rather 
rough  gray  stone.  The  front  is  of  nicely-smoothed  red 
free. stone.  The  height  of  the  walls  is  perhaps  45  feet ; 
no  buttresses  on  the  sides,  but  two  tall  pinnacles  are  raised 
from  the  two  corners  of  the  building  in  the  rear.  The 
front  presents  a  surface  nearly  smooth,  with  three  doors, 
but  no  windows.  From  the  top  of  the  roof,  at  each  of  the 
two  front  corners,  rises  a  square  tower  of  stone,  to  the 
height  of  about  15  feet ;  and  directly  on  the  apex,  between 
the  towers,  there  is  a  small,  and  rather  awkward  looking 
wooden  steeple,  terminating  in  a  cross.  In  the  front  of 
the  building,  over  the  side  doors,  are  two  niches,  fitted  to 
receive  some  images,  and  there  are  three  such  in  the  rear  of 


ST.  Patrick's  cathedral, 
t'orner  of  Prince  and  Mott  Streets. 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 


129 


the  building,  but  at  present  they  are  empty.  The  rear  of 
the  church  is  rather  more  ornamented  than  the  front. 
There  are  eight  large  windows  in  each  side.  The  interior 
of  the  church  presents  quite  an  imposing  appearance. 
There  arc  no  galleries,  except  an  organ  loft  on  the  eastern 
end.  The  roof  is  supported  by  12  large  pillars,  standing 
each  alone,  and  running  from  the  floor  to  the  high  ceiling, 
and  on  each  pillar,  far  above  the  pews,  four  large  globular 
lamps  are  suspended.  The  windows  are  of  plain  common 
glass,  with  painted  blinds  inside.  There  are  few  orna- 
ments except  around  the  altar.  The  floor  contains  about 
200  pews,  and  the  whole  house  will  probably  accommo- 
date  2,000  persons. 


FIRST  CHURCH— (Presbyterian,) 
Erected  in  1845. 
This  church  stands  on  the  west  side  of  the  Fifth  avenue* 
between  Eleventh  and  Twelfth  streets,  and  presents  a  ma- 
jestic appearance.  It  is  of  reddish  hewn  stone.  The  ex- 
treme length  of  the  building  is  1 1'^  feet,  and  the  breadth  80 
feet.  The  height  of  the  walls  is  40  feet,  and  it  is  64  feet 
from  the  ground  to  the  peak  of  the  roof  The  height  of  the 
tower  is  130  feet  to  the  top  of  the  cornice,  and  thence  is  an 
octagon  spire  of  stone,  30  feet  to  the  pinnacle.  Large  but, 
tresses  between  the  windows,  seven  on  each  side,  are 
built,  surmounted  by  a  pinnacle  of  eight  feet  in  height. 
The  top  of  the  corner  pinnacles  are  75  feet  from  the 
ground.  A  battlement  of  stone  passes  around  the  roof. 
Such  is  the  outside.  The  inside  of  the  building  presents 
a  grave  and  dignified  appearance,  very  becoming  a  house 
of  worship.  The  pulpit  and  pews  are  built  of  solid  black- 
walnut.  The  ceiling  is  rather  p'ain,  and  there  are  no  large 
columns  in  front  of  the  gallery.  The  height  from  the  floor 
to  the  ceiling  is  flfiy  feet.  There  are  124  pews  on  the 
lower  floor,  and  the  house  will  accommodate  from  1,200 
to  1,500  persons.  The  estimated  cost  is  S"5,000.  The 
lecture  room  and  the  Sabbath  school  room,  are  both  in  a 
separate  building,  50  feet  by  30,  and  two  stories  high,  built 


130 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


of  Stone  like  the  church,  on  the  same  lot,  but  fronting  on 
Eleventh-street.  Rev.  Dr.  Phillips  is  the  minister  of  this 
congregation.  This  church  formerly  worshipped  in  Wall- 
street,  on  the  spot  where  the  first  Presbyterian  church  in 
New-York  was  built,  in  the  year  1719. 


GRACE  CHURCH— (Episcopal,) 

BROADWAY,  ABOVE  TENTH-STREET. 

Erected  in  1845. 
This  is  one  of  the  most  splendid  buildings  in  the  city. 
The  material  of  which  it  is  constructed  is  of  white  marble, 
hewn,  but  not  hammered.  It  is  built  in  the  form  of  a 
cross.  As  viewed  from  Broadway,  we  are  first  presented 
with  a  lofty  tower  of  about  24  feet  square,  and  of  about  110 
feet  elevation  from  the  ground  to  the  cornice  ;  and  from 
thence  an  octagon  spire  of  wood,  running  up  nearly  as 
much  higher,  and  terminating  in  a  cross.  Attached  to  the 
tower  is  a  building  with  its  end  to  the  street,  of  the  same 
wid,^h  as  the  tower,  and  extending  inward  about  54  feet, 
where  it  joins  the  centre  of  the  large  structure,  87  feet 
long  and  54  wide,  standing  side  to  the  street.  Large,  de^p 
buttresses  are  built  up  between  the  windows  and  on  the 
corners  of  the  building  all  around,  with  lofty  pinnacles  on 
their  tops,  highly  finished  and  ornamented.  There  are 
three  doors  in  front,  two  of  moderate  size  and  one  very 
large.  Over  this  main  entrance  is  a  large,  circular  w^in- 
dow,  of  stained  glass,  and  two  tall,  oblong  windows  in 
each  side  of  the  upper  section  of  the  tower.  Such  is  a 
"bird's  eye  view"  of  the  outside.  Now  let  us  enter  the 
building:  and  here  we  are,  standing  at  once  amid  pillars 
and  carved  work,  and  have  all  the  colours  of  the  rainbow 
brought  to  our  vision  through  more  than  forty  windows 
of  stained  glass,  each  one  giving  some  different  hues. 
On  a  line  with  the  sides  of  the  gallery  are  16  massive 
columns,  eight  on  a  side.  The  windows  are  all  gothic, 
three  very  large — one  back  of  the  pulpit,  and  one  in  each 
end  of  the  main  building,  on  the  right  and  left  of  the  pul- 


CHURCHES  IX  ^'EW-YORK. 


131 


pit.  On  each  side  of  the  pulpit  are  two  circular  windows  ; 
and  36  others,  large  and  small,  are  scattered  ahove  and  be- 
low ia  the  two  sides.  The  estimated  cost  of  the  building 
is  $145,000.  The  interior  of  the  church  is  not  yet  quite 
finished.  The  congregation  who  are  to  occupy  it,  once 
worshipped  at  the  corner  of  Rector-street  and  Broadway, 
near  Trinity  Church.  Rev.  Dr.  Taylor  is  the  present 
minister. 


DUTCH  REFORMED  CHURCH, 

ox  LAFAYETTE  PLACE. 

Erected  in  1839. 
Lafayette  Place  is  a  short  but  rather  elegant  street, 
parallel  to  Broadway,  on  the  eastern  side  of  it.  Toward 
the  southern  end  of  it  it  is  crossed  by  Fourth-street,  and 
I   on  the  corner  of  Fourth-street,  and  fronting  Lafayette 
j   Place,  stands  one  of  the  collegiate  Dutch  churches.    It  is 
a  very  substantial  building,  of  very  nice  hammered  granite. 
!  I   It  is  110  feet  long,  and  75  feet  \vide.    It  was  erected  in 
I   1839,  at  a  cost  of  about  $160,000. 

A  pediment  of  about  20  feet  deep  is  displayed  in  front, 
supported  by  eight  massive  granite  columns,  in  a  range 
I     with  the  outside,  and  four  shorter  ones  nearer  the  main 
,     body  of  the  building.    A  round  tower  rises  from  the  pedi- 
>  I   ment  to  the  height  of  about  25  or  30  feet.    Thus  far  all  is 
i  I  stone,  and  in  a  high  state  of  finish.    From  the  tower  a 
\  \   tali  octagon  steeple  ot  wood  ascends,  surmounted  by 
I '   a  ball  and  vane,  making  the  total  height  from  the  ground 
to  the  top  of  the  spire  215  feet.    The  sides  of  the  building 
are  plain,  having  five  windows  without  ornaments,  and 
i    square  at  the  top.    An  area  is  opened  all  around  the  build- 
I    ing,  making  a  light  and  dry  basement,  finished  into  good 
:  I    rooms  for  the  accommodation  of  the  Sabbath  schools  and 
I  I    lecture  room.    The  inside  of  the  church  is  very  handsome- 
I  l|  ly  finished,  in  a  style  of  what  may  expressively  be  termed 
I  !'  ylain  elegance.    The  pulpit  is  of  solid  marble. 
!       The  Collegiate  Reformed  Dutch  Church  is  the  oldest 


I 


132 


PICTURE  OF  NEW- YORK. 


religious  establishment  in  the  city.  At  the  present  they 
occupy  three  houses  of  worship,  viz.  —  The  "North 
Church,"  at  the  corner  of  Fulton  and  William  streets,  the 
Ninth-street  Church,  and  the  church  on  Lafayette  Place. 
The  church  is  considered  as  one,  though  assembling  for 
worship  in  three  places,  and  is  governed  by  one  Consisto- 
ry. At  the  present  time  they  have  four  pastors,  viz. — 
Rev.  Drs.  Knox,  Brownlee,  De  Witt  and  Vermilye. 


DUTCH  REFORMED  CHURCH, 

WASHINGTON  SQUARE. 

Erected  in  1840. 
The  great  fire  in  New. York,  which  took  place  Dec.  16, 
1835,  destroyed,  among  other  buildings,  the  '*  South  Dutch 
Church,"  which  stood  on  "  Garden-street,"  now  Exchange 
Place.  After  this  the  congregation  divided,  a  part  of  them 
building  a  church  on  Murray-street,  while  those  who  had 
removed  far  *'up  town,"  commenced  worship  in  the 
chapel  of  the  New-York  University,  proposing  to  build  in 
that  vicinity.  A  lot  was  purchased  on  the  corner  of 
Washington  Place  and  Wooster-street,  fronting  Washing- 
ton Square,  and  here  has  been  erected  a  most  superb  edi- 
fice.  The  building  is  of  dark  coloured  granite,  rather 
roughly  hewn,  and  measuring  80  feet  from  the  rear  to  the 
tower,  and  62  feet  wide.  On  each  of  the  two  front  cor- 
ners there  is  a  tower  24  feet  square,  and  running  up  some 
20  feet  above  the  extreme  point  of  the  roof.  A  front  view 
of  the  building  presents  you  v/itli  a  large  middle  door  and 
two  smaller  ones,  one  being  in  each  tower.  The  gothic 
architecture  in  which  the  edifice  was  designed  to  be  built 
appears  more  prominently  inside  than  outside.  Inside  are 
eight  large  pillars  supporting  the  roof,  and  attached  to  the 
front  of  the  gallery,  which  is  handsomely  ornamented  with 
carved  work.  The  organ  is  very  elegant;  and  th«  organ 
loft  is  raised  some  eight  feet  above  the  back  of  the  gal- 
lery, appearing  somewhat  like  a  second  gallery.  The 
height  of  the  ceiling  from  the  floor  is  63  feet,  and  for  so 


^■TCH   REFORMED  CHURCH, 
Washington  Square. 


ENTRANCE  TO 


THE  FIRST  UNITARIAN 
Broadway. 


CHURCH, 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW, YORK. 


high  a  ceiling  the  pulpit  appears  rather  low.  There  are 
30  large  gothic  windows  below,  of  ground  glass,  and  10 
smaller  ones  in  the  roof.  These  all  admit  a  very  clear 
yet  soft  light  ;  and  the  walls  being  painted  a  light  drab 
colour,  and  the  wood  work  being  painted  light  oak,  give 
the  whole  interior  of  the  house  a  cheerful  appearance. 
Taken  as  a  whole,  the  edifice  is  in  good  taste.  The  cost 
is  said  to  be  $80,000,  and  the  ground  on  which  it  stands 
§44,000.  It  was  dedicated  Oct.  1,  1840.  Dr.  Hutton  is 
the  present  minister. 


FIRST  UNITARIAN  CHURCH, 

BROADWAY,  BETWEEN  SPRING-  AND  PRINCE  STREETS. 

Erected  in  1845. 
The  First  Unitarian  Church  in  the  city  of  New-York, 
was  built  in  Chambers-street.  In  1844,  that  building  was 
sold,  and  a  new  and  splendid  one  erected  on  Broadway. 
The  lot  occupied  by  the  church  runs  through  from  Broad- 
way to  Crosby-street,  and  the  n'ain  building  is  placed  on 
the  rear  of  the  lot,  which  removes  it  from  the  noise  of  the 
great  street  to  a  place  of  comparative  quiet.  It  is  built  of 
brick,  and  is  130  feet  long  and  75  feet  wide.  It  cost 
§82,000.  It  is  a  very  lofty  building,  being  about  70  feet 
from  the  floor  to  the  apex  ;  but  standing  back  from  the 
main  street,  and  having  large  buildings  all  around  it,  it  is 
scarcely  seen  from  Broadway.  The  entrance  is  all  that 
would  be  noticed  in  pa'^sing  it.  The  front  of  the  entrance 
is  27  feet  wide,  of  elegantly  carved  reddish  free  stone, 
with  one  large  gothic  door,  with  pillars  on  each  side,  run- 
ning up  some  forty  feet.  Entering  the  front  door  there  is 
a  long  passage-way  of  the  san  e  width  as  the  front,  and 
about  200  feet  long,  which  brings  us  to  the  main  body  of 
the  church.  Over  this  covered  passage-way  is  a  suite  of 
rooms,  intended  to  be  leased  as  offices.  The  interior  of 
the  church  is  finished  in  more  complete  gothic  style,  proba- 
bly, than  any  other  building  in  the  city.  The  material  used 
for  the  pews  is  pine,  with  black  walnut  capping  ;  and  the 


12 


134 


PICTURE  OF  HEVV-YORK. 


j 


pulpit,  organ  case,  and  all  the  other  fine  carved  work  is  j 

pine,  painted  a  beautiful  dark  oak  colour.    There  are  140  i 

pews  on  the  lower  floor,  and  about  60  in  the  gallery,  j 

There  are  six  windows  on  each  side,  of  ground  glass,  ad-  j 

mitting  a  soft  and  pleasant  light.     The  walls  are  painted  j 

drab  colour.    The  side  galleries  are  rather  narrow,  so  , 

that  the  large  pillars  supporting  the  roof  stand  off  about  * 

five  feet  from  the  front  of  the  gallery,  which  has  a  very  \ 

fine  effect.    The  gas  lights  are  attached  to  these  pillars,  j 

Taken  as  a  whole,  the  house  is  beautiful,  and  well  worthy  ] 

of  attention.    Rev.  Mr.  Bellows  is  the  present  minister.  | 

CHURCH  OF  THE  MESSIAH— (Unitarian,) 

Erected  in  1838. 

The  "  Church  of  the  Messiah,"  is  the  second  Unitarian 
Church  in  the  city  of  New-York.  It  was  commenced  in 
the  year  1828,  and  was  under  the  pastoral  care  of  the  Rev. 
Mr.  Lunt.  A  house  of  worship  was  built  in  Prince-street, 
near  Broadway,  on  the  west  side.  This  building  was  con- 
sumed by  fire  in  the  year  1837,  and  in  the  following  year  a 
new  edifice  was  built  on  Broadway,  nearly  opposite  Wash- 
ington Square.  Rev.  Orville  Dewey,  D.  D.,  i?  the  present 
minister.  This  building  is  a  very  substantial  one.  It  is 
built  of  rough  granite,  measuring  on  the  ground  100  feet 
by  74,  and  was  built  at  a  cost  of  $97,000.  It  is  a  plain 
looking  building,  with  a  square  front.  The  tower  is  not 
high,  not  more  perhaps  than  20  feet  above  the  walls,  and 
has  no  pointed  spire.  The  roof  is  rather  flat.  The  front 
presents  three  doors,  with  a  square  window  over  the  side 
doors,  and  a  large  round  window  over  the  main  entrance, 
and  circular  windows  in  three  sides  of  the  tower  above  the 
roof. 

The  finish  of  the  interior  is  rich,  being  mostly  of  the 
Corinthian  order.  The  walls  and  ceiling  are  elaborate 
in  finish,  but  richly  painted,  and  said  to  represent  very 
nearly  the  interior  of  Westminster  Abbey. 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 
UDiversity  Place. 


PICTURE  OF  NEW.yORK.  135 


PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

UNIVERSITY  PLACE. 

Erected  in  1845. 

This  building  is  of  a  reddish  gray  sione,  well  smoothed, 
having  but  few  ornaments,  and  for  so  costly  a  building  pre- 
senting  a  rather  plain  appearance.  It  stands  at  the  corner 
of  Tenih-street  and  University  Place.  The  extreme  length 
of  the  edifice  is  116  feet,  and  the  width  65  feet,  having  a 
lecture  room,  25  feet  wide,  taken  off  at  the  rear,  which 
room  Is  lengthened  by  a  projection  on  the  south  side  of  the 
house  of  about  10  feet,  giving  the  lecture  room  a  space  of 
75  feet  by  25.  This  leaves  the  interior  of  the  church  at 
about  91  feet  by  65.  A  side  view  of  the  building  from 
Tenth-street,  presents  us  with  six  large  gothic  windows 
and  three  small  windows  over  the  lecture  room,  all  of 
stained  glass.  Between  the  windows  are  buttresses,  built 
to  the  height  of  the  walls,  and  terminating  in  small  pin- 
nacles.  As  we  look  at  the  front  from  University  Place, 
we  perceive  three  gothic  doors,  th.  main  entrance  being  in 
the  tower,  and  one  on  each  side  in  the  body  of  the  church. 
A  large  gothic  window  is  placed  over  the  main  entrance, 
and  smaller  ones  over  the  side  doors.  The  tower,  which 
is  about  24  feet  square,  is  wholly  in  front  of  the  main 
building,  and  not  partly  on  the  roof,  as  is  rather  more  com- 
mon, and  is  built  up  square  to  the  belfry,  which  is  the  first 
section  a-bove  the  apex  of  the  roof;  above  which  it  gradu- 
ally tapers  to  the  summit,  being  entirely  of  stone,  and 
terminates  without  a  vane,  at  the  height  of  184  feet  from 
the  ground.  The  building  stands  low,  being  raised  but 
three  steps  from  the  sidewalk,  so  that  it  does  not  look  as 
lofty  as  many  others  which  are  really  not  higher  than  this. 

The  interior  of  the  church  is  divided  into  124  pews  on 
the  lower  floor,  and  64  in  the  gallery  ;  and  the  space  over 
the  lecture  room,  in  the  rear  of  the  pulpit,  is  open  for  the 
accommodation  of  the  Sabbath  school.  It  is  said  that 
1,200  persons  can  be  accommodated  in  the  house.  The 
pulpit  and  pews  are  built  of  solid  black  walnut,  exhibiting 


138 


PICTURE  OF  NEW-YORK. 


much  richness,  but  it  renders  the  house  rather  more  dark 
and  gloomy  than  would  be  desirable.  The  total  cost  of 
the  building  was  ^56,000.  The  present  minister  is  the 
Rev.  Dr.  Potta. 

PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

CARMINE-STREET. 

Erected  in  1832. 
This  edifice  is  of  brick,  but  plastered  to  resemble  white 
stone.  It  is  a  heavy  looking  buildin;^;  especially  in  front. 
It  stands  on  a  hi^h  basement  of  stone,  so  that  the  main 
floor  of  the  church  is  eight  or  nine  feet  above  the  side- 
walk, which  gives  the  building  quite  a  lofty  appearance. 
There  are  five  large  windows,  with  square  tops,  in  each 
side  of  the  house,  with  thick,  flat  columns  between  ihem, 
but  no  windows  in  front.  The  front  of  the  house  presents 
two  large  fluted  pillars,  one  each  side  of  the  main  entrance, 
supporting  the  pediment,  and  outside  of  these  pillars  four 
large  square  pillars,  two  on  each  corner,  in  front  of  a 
turret  15  feet  square,  built  to  the  roof.  In  each  of  these 
turrets  are  doors  facing  each  other  toward  the  centre  of 
the  house,  the  main  entrance  being  in  a  deep  recess  under 
the  pediment,  and  fronting  the  street.  The  trimmings  of 
the  pediment  are  of  wood,  and  on  the  top  of  it  there  is  built 
a  wooden  square  turret  with  heavy  mouldings,  about  30 
feet  high. 

The  dimensions  of  the  building  are  84  feet  by  62.  The 
interior  is  finished  in  a  plain  style,  having  136  pews  on  the 
lower  floor.  It  was  first  opened  for  worship  May  27,  1832. 
Rev.  Mr.  Plolt  is  the  present  minister. 


ST.  THOMAS'  CHURCH— (Episcopal,) 

CORNER  BROADWAY  AND  HOUSTON-STREET, 

Erected  in  1826. 
This  is  a  stately  edifice,  measuring  113  feet  by  62, 
standing  on  the  corner  of  Houston-street,  fronting  on 
j  Broadway.    It  is  built  of  very  rough  small  stones,  and  was 

t_    - 


ST,  THO  IAS'S  CHURCH, 
Corner  of  Houston  Street  aiid  Broadway. 
Puge  13^. 


CHURCHES  IX  >'EW-YORK. 


137 


more  than  two  years  building,  being  commenced  in  1823, 
and  finished  in  the  early  part  of  1826.  When  erected  it 
was  considered  as  the  most  pure  gothic  structure  of  any  in 
the  city,  but  probably  now  some  others  exceed  it.  '*  Its 
distinguishing  features  are  two  large  angular  projecting 
towers  at  the  northeast  and  southeast  corners,  which  rise 
in  undiminished  proportions  to  a  height  of  80  feet,  and 
end  in  pointed  turrets  of  a  dwarf  size  ;  also  the  immense 
gothic  window  in  front  between  the  towers,  and  occupying 
a  large  portion  of  the  surface  ;  beneath  this,  and  in  each 
tower,  are  the  entrance  doors."  In  the  front  of  these 
towers  there  are  niches  to  receive  figures,  but  none  are 
placed  there. 

The  interior  of  the  church  is  very  handsomely  finished, 
and  painted  oak  colour.  The  windows  are  plain  glass 
without,  but  inside  have  elegantly  painted  transparent 
shades,  in  frames.  The  house  will  accommodate  a  large 
congregation,  having  large  galleries  on  three  sides,  and 
238  pews,  above  and  below.  Rev.  Dr.  Whitehouse  is  the 
present  minister. 

FLOATING  CHAPEL— (Episcopal.) 
JBuilt  in  1844. 
It  has  always  been  considered  that  sailors  needed  some- 
thing a  little  pecuhar,  and  hence  the  idea  of  building  a 
house  of  worship  for  them,  not  only  distinct  from  other 
people,  but,  if  practica'Jle,  to  have  it  a  floating  temple, 
moored  in  some  dock,  so  that  *'  Jack  in  his  roundabout'^ 
should  feel  perfectly  at  home.  This  desideratum  was  ac- 
complished in  this  city  in  1844,  when  the  "  Floating 
Chapel"  for  seamen  was  built,  ar  d  the  Episcopal  "  Church 
of  the  Saviour"  organized  therein.  The  chapel  is  built  on 
a  deck  76  feet  long,  and  36  feet  wide,  covering  two  boats 
of  80  tons  each,  and  10  feet  apart.  The  length  of  the 
chapel  is  70  feet,  and  its  breadth  30  feet.  It  is  not  a  very 
high  building.  It  has  four  plain  oblong  windows  on  each 
side,  with  buttresses  betw*een,  terminating  in  pinnacles 
above  the  walls.    In  the  front  is  one  large  door,  with  a 


12* 


138  PICTURE  OF  N^IW-YORK. 


circular  window  over  it,  and  a  plain  spire,  rising  above  the 
peak  of  the  roof. 

The  interior  presents  one  middle  aisle,  with  a  row  of 
seats  on  each  side.  It  is  a  plain  room,  ornamented  a  little 
around  the  pulpit  and  altar.  It  was  built  by  the  Young 
Men's  Missionary  Society  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
was  opened  for  religious  worship  February  15th,  1844.  The 
present  minister  is  the  Rev.  Mr.  Parker.  The  chapel  is 
now  moored  in  the  East  river,  at  the  foot  of  Pike-street. 

There  is  another  Floating  Chapel  in  the  city,  under  the 
direction  of  the  Methodists,  and  the  present  ministry  of 
Rev.  0.  G.  Hedstrom,  which  was  put  into  operation  in  June, 
1845.  It  is  an  old  ship  of 300  tons,  which  is  well  fitted  up, 
and  moored  at  the  foot  of  Rector-street,  on  the  North  river. 
It  will  accommodate  about  500  persons.  The  pastor  of  the 
church  is  a  native  of  Sweden,  and  preaches  in  Swedish 
every  Sabbath  morning,  and  in  EngUsh  on  Sabbath  after- 
noons and  evenings.  There  are  three  other  meetings  for 
seamen  held  in  this  city,  viz  :  the  "  Seamen's  Bethel,''^ 
Methodist,  Cherry-street,  the  *'  Seamen's  Bethel,''^  Baptist, 
Catharine-Street,  and  the  old  "  Mariner^s  Chvrchj^^  Roose- 
velt-stieet. 


THE  "  SWAMP  CHURCH," 

FRANKFORT-STREET,  CORNER  OF  WILLIAM-STREET. 

■Erected  in  1767. 
This  is  one  of  the  oldest  church  edifices  in  the  city. 
St.  George's  Church,  in  Beekman-street,  was  built  in  1752, 
nine  years  before  it,  but  in  1814  was  burnt,  all  but  the 
walls,  and  built  up  in  modern  style.  St.  Paul's  Chapel, 
near  the  Park,  was  built  in  1766,  but  the  interior  is  in 
modern  style.  The  Brick  Church  was  built  the  same  year, 
but  that  too  has  been  remodelled,  while  the  old  "  Swamp 
Church,"  retains  its  ancient  appearance,  inside  and  out. 
The  land  east  of  it  was  originally  a  marsh  or  swamp,  and 
hence  its  name.  It  is  built  of  stone,  and  is  a  very  strong 
building.    It  is  not  large,  measuring  about  60  feet  by  34. 


CHURCH  OF  THE  HOLY  COMMUNION, 
Twentieth  Street. 


CHURCHES  IN  XEW-YORK. 


139 


This  building  was  erected  by  the  German  Lutherans, 
and  was  the  only  place  of  worship  in  the  city  which  was 
not  abused  and  torn  in  pieces  by  the  British  army  in  the 
time  of  the  revolution  ;  for  it  was  here  that  the  Hessian 
troops,  who  were  generally  Lutherans,  attended  worship ; 
and  it  is  not  unlikely  that  this  circumstance  saved  it.  After 
the  peace,  the  Rev.  Dr.  Kunze  officiated  here  for  more 
than  twenty  years.  In  the  year  1830,  it  was  sold  to  the 
coloured  Presbyterian  congregation,  who  now  occupy  it. 
The  Rev.  Mr.  Wright  is  the  present  minister. 


CHURCH  OF  THE  HOLY  COMMUNION, 

CORNER  OF  SIXTH  AVENUE  AND  TWENTIETH-STREET. 

Erected  in  1845. 
This  is  altogether  one  of  the  most  singular  buildings  in 
the  city.  The  material  of  which  it  is  built  is  well  dressed 
red  granite.  It  is  built  in  the  form  of  a  cross,  having  a 
projection  in  the  rear  of  about  30  feet  wide  and  18  deep, 
containing  the  pulpit,  reading  desk,  &,c.  The  total  length 
of  the  building,  from  the  front  door  to  the  extreme  rear  of 
the  projection,  is  104  feet,  and  the  breadth  66  feet.  As 
you  stand  in  the  pulpit,  on  the  right  hand  is  a  deep  recess 
in  the  wing,  vrhich  is  the  organ  lofr.  This  is  the  only  gal- 
lery in  the  house.  In  the  wing  on  the  left  hand  is  a  large 
door  opening  directly  into  the  street,  with  a  large  circular 
window  over  it.  This  -^3  shown  in  the  annexed  cut,  on 
the  right  hand  of  the  tower.  Another  principal  entrance  is 
shown  on  the  cut  at  the  left  of  the  tower,  and  like  the 
other  door,  opens  directly  into  the  street.  The  walls  are 
not  very  high,  but  the  roof  is  high  and  very  sharp,  and 
being  arched  within,  it  gives  52  feet  as  the  extreme  height 
of  the  ceiling.  The  turret  is  on  the  south  corner  of  the 
building,  and  is  about  15  feet  square  within  the  but. 
tresses,  and  70  feet  high.  There  are  few  windows  in  the 
house,  and  no  ornaments  either  within  or  without.  The 
whole  floor  is  occupied  with  plain  oak  seats,  which  are 
all  free.    The  cost  of  the  building  was  about  §35,000. 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 


o 


CO 

K 
o 
Pi 

o 
o 

H 


o 

H 
P 

Q 
H 

O 


^^-oc^M^c  .  a_  ^^^^  o<_3  =  ^ 


•3;^c??oo^j:: ..^2  ^     ^.  ^  h  «  ^ 


t->.  O  !>.  to  O  !D  '-O  ?0  O  rj«  U5  >-'3  if5  CO 
^^X2    


X  00  CO  O)  cr*  CC'  CD  0 


<U  C  *" 


i  =  =  o-S  2  w-r  ^2  g  o  a;  c  5? 


.  5  o  i  o  ^ 


(U  (y  »- 


5  2r^ 


i   W   9  r 


1 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 

iiiiii 

Hugh  Smith. 
Joseph  11.  Price. 
11.  J.  Whitehouse. 
Richard  Cox. 

ddd  ddddddddddifciddddcd  ddddd 

1 

Broadway, 
Broadway, 
Varick-street, 

Beekman-street, 
Centre-street, 
1  lenrystreet, 
Filth  Avenue, 
Aiilhony-stroet, 
i'iko  Slip, 
Stanton  street, 
llc)nst«)n-street, 
Broadway, 
l'\)urth  Avenue, 
University  Chapel, 
A  venue  D, 
Sixth  street, 
Ilarlann, 
Lafayette  Place, 
Aniiiy-streel, 
Hudson-street, 
Stn  vvesant-street, 
Manhattanville, 
Blooiningdale, 

1 

Trinity, 

St,  Paul's  (Chapel,) 
St.  John's  (Chapel,) 

St.  Ceorge's, 

St.  Pliilip's  (coloured,) 

All  Saints, 

Ascension, 

(>hrist's  Church, 

Church  of  the  Saviour, 

Kpiphany  (Mission,) 

St.  Simon's  (iermau  (Miss.) 

(J race  (Umrd  , 

(JIalvary  Church, 

Annunciation, 

Nativity, 

lledemption, 

St.  Andrews', 

St.  iiartholomew's, 

St.  Clement's, 

St.  Luke's, 

St.  Mark's, 

St.  Mary'.s,  1 

St.  Michael's, 

St.  I'eter's, 

St.  Stephen's, 

St.  Thomas', 

Ziou's, 

2 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 


>    (D    O      .    O      •  <1-    !^      •  ? 


cToi  o  ciTo^o) 

O  O  >0  T  T  O  O 


D  ^  ^  x>  ^  x>  bjo  bc  bn  fen 
J  ^  *i  *j  *j  *:.£.=  . S.S 
-  "-5  -3  -o 

DOtDt^OO  s  ;3  g  3 
 ""^  -Q  J3  jD  ^ 


30  00  00  00  00  00 


^-i  A  =  ^ 


3  O  S3 


t^.  >>  >v  ^ 
X3jax3  wibD 
^  ^  ^  5  .S 

ID  U5  o  r:5 
Ci     to  3  2 

 _.£_-Q 

c  o 


CO  .2  i3 
^  S  t;  O 


11=11 

C  «  3 

CCI  O 


3 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 


c  ^-     >  ' 

-2  -  a  :^  c=3 . 


00  'vC;  1^  o  'O  o  -X!  o  i 
^  ^  -Q  ~  ~ 


CT.  ro  O  O  O  O  o 
-'GOCnXt^C^OOCsOOlOOO 


o        -o  -D  If:  L*: 
-xi  TT        CO  OJ 
cottar  ■  


-  (M  O  fO  W  00  O  Oi  CO  ^ 
—  ^  3  CO  CO  T  rr  ro     -x  -  - 


S  =  2  g  §  Sloc^  8|w  •-  ^  J  >  I  ^  ^  g  2  Pi 


«  i-  u  : 


~  ^ 

I X3-  -J  x:  t«  ^  3 
'  2  H  ^ ^  "E  ^ 

<u  i  z:  f.  t 


-  ^  St.  2^ 


I  =  S 1  i 

5  rt"^  c  r 


4 


CHURCHES  IN  NEW-YORK. 


4,  O  ;C 


Z  c  S  S 


(W  O 

S-i  O  -2 

II 


o  «  « 

"  S  5 

jS  1-  « 


5 


CHURCHES  IX  NEW-YORK. 


3  5  w  js  Sjc  ^ 
>-i:     D  t-^.So  ' 


PQ  o  S 


-•S^  5  c  ®  ^-5^-5  so 


:2  £ 


V-   w   C  < 


CHURCHES  IN  NE^V-YORK. 


^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ § 

li  I  mmmmmMmmm 


mrniiM 
JliiMi 


iiii 


CHURCHES  IX  NEW-YORK. 


CHURCHES  IxV  NEW- YORK. 


1:^ 


^  r «  S  ^ 
-fi'S  ^  ?  =  5  s 


Si:  « 


c     X     S  ^ 


o  o 

lib  o  -o  Ti 

^  ^  ^  J3 


O  T  X  Q  o" 

o     rr  o 


00  cS  00  S 


I  -C  J2  J2  j2  b£  bt  tJO  b<l 
=  5.E.5 

00       o  r: :::  r:: 
^  o  ^  in  o      3  3  3  3 

P  c  c  c  o 

C  cTof^'rirro  S  f=  =  ^ 


II 


^8 


bc  bfi 


KoC 


^/  a>      —  •   "  Z  'J: 


Wo 


D  i_         ^  < 


l-H    O  O 

O 


£  2  £  = 
eoaq  cap 


-n  ^  c  ?  ffl  « 

a?  o  =  -  V,  -^a 

Ml  -r  o  3  <2  'J 

i  2  i  i 


^  ^  o  ^  ^-fl 


9 


CITY,  OF  BROOELYN. 


This  town,  the  whole  of  which  is  now  included  within 
the  corporation  of  the  city  of  Erookiyn,  lies  upon  the  ex- 
treme western  part  of  Long  Island,  opposite  the  southern 
portion  of  the  city  of  New-York,  and  separated  therefrom 
by  the  East  river,  which  is  here  about  three  quarters  of  a 
mile  in  width.    Its  length  from  northeast  to  southwest  is 
six,  and  its  greatest  breadth  four  miles.    The  population  - 
in  1810  was  4,402;  in  1820,  7,175;   in  1830,  15.396;  in 
1840,  3G,233;   of  whom  1,673  were  employed  in  com- 
merce; 4,666  in  manufactures  and  trades;  978  in  navi-  ! 
gating  the  ocean;  302  ditto  rivers  and  canals;  307  in  the 
learned  professions  and  engineers.    It  is  the  second  place 
in  population  in  the  State,  and  the  seventh  in  the  United 
States.    The  pure  air  and  delightful  prospects  of  Brook- 
lyn render  it  a  favourite  place  of  residence  to  persons  doing 
business  in  New-York,  and  it  is  nearer  to  the  business  cen- 
tres of  the  laUer  than  residences  in  the  upper  part  of  the  , 
city;  and  these  things  have  contributed  to  give  it  a  very  | 
rapid  growth.    The  increase  of  population  from  1830  to  | 
1840  was  20,837.  Its  present  population  is  about  60,000.  i 
"  The  name  conferre,'  upon  this  town  by  the  Dutch  v.'-as  ' 
Breucklen,  (or  broken  land  ;)  and  in  the  act  for  dividing 
the  province  into  counties  and  towns,  passed  November  1, 
1685,  it  is  called  Breucklyn ;  nor  does  the  present  appella-  I 
tion  appear  to  have  been  generally  adopted  until  after  the  ! 
revolution.    Many  changes  have  doubtless  taken  place  ' 
upon  the  shore,  and  it  is  believed  that  Governor's  Island 
was  formerly  connected  with  Red  Hook  Point.    It  is  well 
known,  that  a  short  period  previous  to  the  war  of  inde- 
pendence, cattle  were  driven  across  what  is  called  Butter- 
milk Channel,  now  sufficiently  deep  to  afford  passage  to 
vessels  of  the  largest  class.    The  first  rZuropean  settler  in 
this  town  is  supposed  to  have  been  George  Jansen  de 
Rapelje,  at  the  Waalboght,  or  Waaloons  Bay,  during  the 


13* 


150 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


1 


Directorship  of  Peter  Minuit,  under  the  charter  of  the  West 
India  Company.  In  a  family  record  in  the  possession  of 
Jeremiah  Johnson,  Esq.,  it  is  stated  that  the  first  child  of 
Rapelje  was  Sarah,  born  in  16*25,  unquestionably  the  first 
white  child  born  upon  Long  Island.  Watson  says  she 
was  born  on  the  9th  of  June,  and  honoured  as  the  first-born 
child  of  the  Dutch  settlers  ;  also  that,  in  consideration  of 
such  distinction,  and  of  her  widowhood,  she  was  afterward 
presented  with  a  tract  of  land  at  the  Wallabout.  In  the 
journal  of  the  Dutch  Council  in  1656,  it  is  related  that 
"the  widow  Hans  Hansen,  the  first-born  Christian 
daughter  in  New-Netherlands,  burdened  with  seven 
children,  petitions  for  a  grant  of  a  piece  of  meadow,  in  ad- 
dition to  the  twenty  morgen  granted  to  her  at  the  Waale- 
Boght."  A  few  of  the  other  associates  of  De  Rapelje 
wereLeEscuyer,  Duryee,  La  Sillier,  Cershow,  Conscillaer, 
Musserol;  these,  with  some  changes  in  the  mode  of  spell- 
ing, are  still  found  among  us.  It  appears  by  the  Dutch 
records,  that  in  1634,  a  part  of  the  land  at  Red  Hook  was 
the  property  of  Wouter  Van  Twiller,  being  one  of  the 
oldest  titles  in  the  town.  The  earliest  deed  for  land  was 
from  Governor  Kieftto  Abraham  Rycken,  in  1638. 

The  city  is  regularly  laid  out,  and  the  streets,  with  the 
exception  of  Fulton-street,  the  oldest  in  the  city,  are  gene- 
rally straight,  crossing  each  other  at  right  angles,  and  arc 
from  50  to  60  feet  wide,  and  a  number  of  them  have  great- 
er width.  A  large  number  of  the  streets,  including  all 
within  the  thickly  settled  parts,  are  paved  and  lighted.  Ma- 
ny of  the  streets  are  bordered  with  trees,  giving  the  place 
a  peculiarly  rural  aspect.  Fulton-street,  originally  narrow 
in  its  lower  portion,  has  been  amply  widened,  and  is  border- 
ed with  ranges  of  lofty  brick  stores,  and  presents  a  com- 
manding entrance  to  the  city.  No  city  in  the  country,  of 
its  extent,  is  better  built  than  Brooklyn,  and  many  of  its 
houses  are  distinguished  for  a  chaste  elegance,  and  some  of 
them  are  splendid.  Brooklyn,  as  laid  out  by  the  commis- 
sioners appointed  by  the  State  Legislature,  is  sufliciently 
large  to  become  another  London  ;  and  if  the  spirit  of  specu- 
lation could  have  been  quiet,  it  is  questionable  whether  it 
would  not  have  been  better  to  have  left  many  of  its  origi- 


FORTIFICATIONS. 


nal  farms  for  the  present  undisturbed.  Many  of  the  streets 
are  not  opened  and  regulated,  though  this  has  been  done  to 
quite  as  great  an  extent  as  the  present  necessities  of  the  city- 
require.  The  thickly  settled  parts  have  no  public  squares 
or  open  grounds;  and,  though  some  have  been  laid  out 
within  the  city  bounds,  they  are  not  in  such  locations  as  to 
add,  at  present,  to  its  beauty  or  its  comfort.  Many  of  its 
principal  avenues,  however,  have  a  commanding  width,  and 
its  whole  appearance  is  open  and  airy;  and  its  great  extent, 
and  the  many  fine  situations  presented  in  its  outer  parts, 
will  probably  long  prevent  it  from  being  uncomfortably 
crowded  in  the  portions  now  most  thickly  settled. 

A  city-hall  was  projected  a  number  of  years  since,  on  a 
magnificent  plan,  to  be  built  of  white  marble,  A  substan- 
tial and  durable  foundation  was  laid,  and  the  basement  sto- 
ry erected,  at  a  great  expense.  But  the  location  was  unhappy, 
and  the  plan  altogether  beyond  the  present  wants  of  the 
city.  A  new  plan  has  been  drawn,  but  nothing  is  yet  de- 
termined on. 

Brooklyn  was  incorporated  as  a  village  in  1816,  and  as 
a  city,  with  greatly  extended  limits,  in  1834.  It  is  divided 
into  nine  wards,  and  is  governed  by  a  mayor  and  a  board 
of  eighteen  aldermen,  two  from  each  ward,  all  elected  by 
the  people. 

Brooklyn  was  first  settled  in  1636,  but  it  did  not  choose 
regular  magistrates  until  1746,  though  some  kind  of 
authority  was  previou'''y  established.  The  first  house  for 
public  worship,  which  was  a  Dutch  church,  was  erected  in 
1666.  Six  years  previous  to  this,  the  Rev.  Henricus  Sel- 
wyn  had  been  installed  in  Brooklyn,  with  a  salary  of  600 
guilders,  or  S*240,  one  half  of  which  was  paid  by  the  in- 
habitants, and  the  other  half  by  Fatherland,  or  Holland. 

FORTIFICATIONS. 

There  are  some  remains  of  fortifications  which  were 
thrown  up  by  both  armies  during  the  revolutionary  war, 
which  may  still  be  traced  on  the  hills  in  the  back  parts  of 
Brooklyn.  The  principal  of  these  is  Fort  Greene.  This 
was  originally  a  large  fort.  Many  of  the  embankments 
were  repaired  during  the  war  of  1812,  and  the  whole  may 


152 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


Still  be  distinctly  traced.    It  is  one  of  the  most  interesting 
spots  in  the  vicinity  of  New-York. 

OLD  JERSEY  PRISON  SHIP, 

For  a  description  of  this,  the  reader  is  referred  to  pages 
13 — 15  of  this  volume. 

The  place  where  this  ship,  and  the  other  hospital  ships 
were  moored,  was  near  the  present  Navy  Yard. 

REVOLUTIONARY  SOLDIERs'  TOMB. 

Those  who  died  on  board  the  prison  ships  were  gene-  j 
rally  buried  in  the  sand  on  the  Long  Island  shore.    In  the  i 
year  1803  the  bones  of  those  who  had  died,  and  which  i 
were  washed  out  from  the  bank  where  they  had  been  slightly  j 
biaried,  and  were  bleacb.ing  in  the  sun,  were  collected  and  ! 
deposited  in  thirteen  coffins,  inscribed  with  the  names  of  the  i 
thirteen  original  states,  and  placed  in  a  vault  beneath  a 
suitable  building,  erected  for  the  purpose,  in  Jackson-street, 
opposite  to  Front-street,  near  tiie  Navy  Yard.    On  the 
point  (if  the  roof  of  the  building,  which  is  a  small,  square 
edifice,  is  an  American  eagle.    On  a  row  of  posts  and  rails 
in  front  of  the  tomb,  are  inscribed  the  names  of  the  thirteen 
original  states,  and  the  tomb  is  surrounded  by  a  fence. 
Over  the  entrance  of  the  enclosure  in  which  the  building  is 
situated  is  the  following  inscription:  '*  Portal  to  the  tomb 
of  11,500  patriot  prisoners,  who  died  in  dungeons  and 
prison  ships,  in  and  about  the  city  of  New-York  during 
the  revolution."    An  imposing  ceremony  took  place  when 
the  bones  were  deposited;  and  15,000  persons  were  sup- 
posed to  have  been  present  on  the  occasion.    These  re- 
mains deserve  a  removal  to  the  Greenwood  Cemetery,  in  a 
conspicuous  place,  and  a  national  monument  commemora- 
ting the  important  battle  of  Flatbush,  the  interesting  locali- 
ties of  which  are  in  view  from  its  more  elevated  portions. 

Connected  with  the  ancient  history  of  Brooklyn,  and  the 
scenes  of  the  revolution,  already  sketched,  it  will  not  be 
inappropriate  to  give  some  account  of 

THE  BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 

After  the  commencement  of  hostilities  in  1776,  New- 
York  being  situated  near  the  centre  of  the  colonial  sea- 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND. 


153 


board,  and  consequently  readily  accessible  from  the  sea, 
was  selected  by  the  British  as  the  principal  point  for  their 
future  operations.  With  this  view,  the  first  division  of  their 
army  arrived  at  Staten  Island  in  the  latter  part  of  June 
that  year,  followed,  about  the  middle  of  July,  by  the  grand 
armament  under  Lord  Howe,  consisting  of  six  ships  of  the 
line,  thirty  frigates,  with  smaller  armed  vessels,  and  a  great 
number  of  transports,  victuallers,  and  ships  with  ordnance 
stores. 

The  Americans,  anticipating  the  invasion  of  Long 
Island,  had  fortified  Brooklyn  before  the  arrival  of  the 
British  at  Staten  Island.  A  line  of  intrenchment  was 
formed  from  a  ditch  near  the  late  toll-house  of  the  bridge  at 
the  Navy  Yard  to  Fort  Greene,  and  from  thence  to  Freek's 
mill-pond.  A  strong  work  was  erected  on  the  lands  of  Jo- 
hannis  Debevoicc  and  Van  Brunt;  a  redoubt  was  thrown 
upon  Boemus'  Hill,  opposite  Brown's  Mill,  west  of  Fort 
Greene.  Ponkiesberg,  now  Fort  Swift,  was  fortified,  and  a 
fort  built  on  Brooklyn  Heights.  Such  were  the  defences 
of  Brooklyn  in  1776,  while  cheraux  de  frise  were  sunk  in 
the  main  channel  of  the  river  below  New-York.  It  was 
not  until  the  middle  of  August,  that  a  first  landing  on  Long 
Island  was  made  by  them,  which  v/as  eflfected  at  New- 
Utrecht,  or  Bath.  Here  they  were  joined  by  many  royalists, 
who,  it  was  supposed,  acted  the  part  of  guides  and  in- 
i  formers  to  the  enemy.  General  Sir  Henry  Clinton  also 
I  arrived  about  the  same  t'-me,  and  Commodore  Hoiham  soon 
after  appeared  with  his  escort;  so  that  in  a  short  time,  the 
hostile  army  amounted  to  about  twenty-four  thousand  men, 
consisting  of  English,  Hessians  and  Waldeckers.  Several 
regiments  of  Hessian  infantry  were  expected  to  arrive 
shortly,  when  the  army  would  be  swelled  to  the  number  of 
thirty-five  thousand,  of  the  best  troops  of  Europe,  all 
abundantly  supplied  with  arms  and  ammunition,  and 
manifesting  extreme  ardor  for  the  service  of  their  king. 
[  Their  plan  of  operations  was,  first  to  get  possession  of 
New- York,  which  was  deemed  of  the  most  paramount  im- 
portance. The  American  troops  being  divided,  and  their 
J»  generals  surprised  and  pressed  on  all  sides,  it  was  not 
i  1  doubted  but  the  British  arms  would  soon  obtain  a  complete 
1  j  triumph. 


154 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


To  resist  this  impending  storm,  Congress  had  ordered  the 
construction  of  rafts,  gan-boats,  galleys  and  floating 
batteries,  for  the  defence  of  the  port  of  New-York,  and  the 
mouth  of  the  Hudson.  They  had  also  decreed,  that  thir- 
teen thousand  of  the  provincial  miiitia  should  join  the  army 
of  General  \V ashington,  who,  being  seasonably  apprized 
of  the  danger  of  New-York,  had  made  a  movement  into 
that  quarter  ;  they  also  directed  the  organization  of  a  corps 
of  ten  thousand  men,  to  serve  as  a  reserve  in  the  central 
provinces.  All  the  weakest  posts  had  been  carefully  in- 
trenched, and  furnished  v/ith  artillery.  A  strong  detach- 
ment occupied  Long  Island,  to  prevent  the  English  from 
landing  there,  if  possible,  or  to  repulse  them,  should  they 
effect  a  debarkation.  But  the  army  of  Congress  was  very 
far  from  being  able  to  bear  the  brunt  of  so  terrible  a  war. 
It  wanted  arms,  and  was  wasted  by  diseases.  The  reite- 
rated calls  of  the  commmander-in-chief  for  reinforcements, 
had  brought  into  his  camp  the  militia  of  the  neighbouring 
provinces,  and  some  regular  regiments  from  Maryland, 
Pennsylvania  and  New  England,  which  had  swelled  his 
army  to  twenty-seven  thousand  men  in  number ;  but  one 
fourth  of  these  troops  were  invalids,  and  scarcely  another 
fourtli  of  them  were  furnished  with  arms. 

The  American  army,  such  as  it  was,  occupied  the  po- 
sitions that  were  best  adapted  to  cover  the  menaced  points. 
The  corps  which  had  been  stationed  on  Long  Island  v/as 
commanded  by  General  Sullivan.  The  main  body  of  the 
army  was  encamped  on  the  island  of  New-York,  which 
it  appeared  was  likely  to  receive  the  first  attack  of  the 
English. 

Two  feeble  detachments  guarded  Governor's  Island  and 
the  point  of  Paulus'  Hook.  The  militia  of  the  province, 
commanded  by  the  American  General  Clinton,  were  posted 
upon  the  banks  of  the  sound,  where  they  occupied  East  and 
West  Chester,  and  New-Rochelle  ;  for  it  was  to  be  feared 
that  the  enemy,  landing  in  force  upon  the  north  shor>3  of  the 
sound,  might  penetrate  as  far  as  King's  bridge,  and  thus  en- 
tirely lock  up  all  the  American  troops  on  the  island  of  New- 
York.  Lord  Howe,  the  commander-in-chief  of  the  British 
forces,  made  some  overtures  of  peace,  upon  terms  of  sub- 


BATTLE  OF  LO^TG  ISLAND. 


155 


mission  to  the  royal  clemency,  which  resulting  in  nothing, 
decided  him  in  making  an  attack  on  Long  Island  ;  and  on 
the  •22d  of  August,  the  British  troops  landed,  without  oppo- 
sition, near  Gravesend. 

A  large  part  of  the  American  army  was  at  this  time 
stationed  on  Brooklyn  heights,  under  General  Putnam. 
The  right  wing  was  corered  by  a  marsh,  near  Gov/anus 
cove,  and  having  Governor's  Island  in  the  rear,  he  could 
in  this  way  communicate  with  the  army  in  New- York, 
under  Washington. 

The  English  having  eflfected  their  landing,  marched  ra- 
pidly forward.  The  two  armies  were  separated  by  a  chain 
of  hills,  covered  with  woods,  called  the  heights,  which  run- 
ning from  west  to  east,  divide  the  island,  as  it  were,  into 
two  parts.  They  are  only  practicable  upon  three  points; 
one  of  which  is  near  the  Narrows,  the  second,  the  road  lead- 
ing to  the  centre  through  the  village  of  Flatbush,  and  the 
third  is  approached  far  to  the  right,  by  the  village  of  Flat- 
lands.  Upon  the  summit  of  the  hills  there  is  a  road  which 
continues  along  the  whole  length  of  the  range,  and  leads 
from  Bedford  to  Jamaica,  which  is  intersected  by  the  two 
roads  last  described  :  these  ways  are  interrupted  by  preci- 
pices, and  exceedingly  difficult  and  narrow  defiles. 

The  American  general,  wishing  to  arrest  tiie  enemy  in 
his  progress,  had  carefully  furnished  the  heights  with  troops, 
so  that,  if  all  had  done  their  duty,  the  English  would  not 
have  been  able  to  force  the  passes  without  the  greatest  diffi- 
culty and  danger.  Tbe  posts  were  so  frequent  upon  the 
road  from  Bedford  to  Jamaica,  that  it  was  easy  to  transmit 
the  most  prompt  intelligence  of  what  passed  upon  these 
three  routes,  from  one  point  to  another.  Col.  Miles,  with 
his  battalion,  was  appointed  to  guard  the  road  to  Flatlands, 
and  scour  it  continually  with  hiS  scouts,  as  well  as  the  road 
to  Jamaica,  in  order  to  reconnoitre  the  movements  of  the 
enemy.  Meanwhile  the  British  army  pressed  forward,  its 
left  wing  being  to  the  north,  and  its  right  to  the  south  ;  the 
village  of  Flatbush  being  in  the  centre.  The  Hessians, 
commanded  by  General  de  Heister,  formed  the  main  body; 
the  English,  under  Major  General  Grant,  the  left ;  and  other 
corps,  conducted  by  General  Clinton  and  the  two  Lords, 


156 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


Percy  and  Cornwallis,  composed  the  right.  In  this  wing 
the  British  generals  placed  their  principal  hope  of  success, 
and  directed  it  upon  Flatlands.  Their  plan  was,  that  while 
the  corps  of  General  Grant  and  the  Hessians  of  General 
Heister  should  distress  and  annoy  the  enemy  upon  the  two 
first  defiles,  the  left  wing,  taking  a  circuitous  route,  should 
march  through  Flatlands,  and  endeavour  to  seize  the  point 
of  intersection  of  this  road  with  that  of  Jamaica;  and  then, 
rapidly  descending  into  the  plain  which  extends  at  the  foot 
of  the  heights  upon  the  other  side,  should  fall  upon  the 
Americans  in  flank  and  rear.  The  English  hoped,  as  this 
point  was  the  farthest  from  the  centre  of  the  army,  the 
advanced  guards  would  be  found  more  feeble  there,  and  per- 
haps more  negligent ;  finally,  they  calculated  that  the  Ameri- 
cans would  not  be  able  to  defend  it  against  so  superior  a 
force.  The  right  wing  of  the  English  was  the  most  nume- 
rous, and  entirely  composed  of  the  best  and  most  select 
troops. 

On  the  evening  of  the  26th  of  August,  the  British  army 
took  up  their  march  in  admirable  silence  and  order,  and, 
passing  Col.  Miles,  who  had  relaxed  in  his  duty ,  arrived  two 
hours  before  day  break  within  half  a  mile  of  the  road  lead- 
ingto  Jamaicaupon  theheights.  Here  General  Clinton  halt- 
ed and  prepared  for  the  attack.  General  Sullivan  had  no 
advices  of  their  movements,  having  neglected  to  send  out 
scouts. 

General  Clinton,  learning  that  the  road  to  Jamaica  was 
not  guarded,  hastened  to  avail  himself  of  the  circumstance, 
and  occupied  it  by  a  rapid  movement.  Without  loss  of 
time,  he  immediately  bore  on  his  left  towards  Bedford,  and 
seized  an  important  defile,  which  the  American  generals 
had  left  unguarded.  From  that  moment  the  success  of  the 
day  was  decided  in  favour  of  the  English.  Lord  Percy  came 
up  with  his  corps,  and  the  entire  column  descended  by  the 
village  of  Bedford,  from  the  heights,  into  the  plain  which 
lay  between  the  hills  and  the  camp  of  the  Americans.  Du- 
ring this  time  General  Grant, in  order  to  amuse  the  enemy, 
and  direct  his  attention  from  the  events  which  had  taken 
'  place  upon  the  route  of  Flatlands,  endeavoured  to  disquiet 
'  him  upon  his  right;  accordingly,  as  if  he  intended  to  force 

L  ^  


BATTLE  OF  LONG-ISLAND.  157 


the  defile  which  led  to  it,  he  put  himself  in  motion  about 
midnight,  and  attacked  the  miiitia  of  New-York  and  Penn- 
sylTania,  who  guarded  it.  At  first  tiiey  gave  ground  ;  but 
General  Parsons  being  arrived,  and  havnig  occupied  an  emi- 
nence, he  renewed  the  combat,  and  maintained  his  position 
till  Brigadier  General  Lord  Sterling  came  to  his  assistance 
with  about  fifteen  hundred  men.  'i'lis  action  now  became 
general  and  extremely  animated  upon  both  sides,  fortune 
favouring  neither  one  or  the  other.  The  Hessians  had  at- 
tacked the  centre  at  break  of  day;  and  the  Americans,  com- 
manded by  General  Sullivan  in  person,  fought  valiantly. 
At  the  same  time  the  English  ships,  after  making  several 
movements,  opened  a  brisk  cannonade  against  a  battery 
established  at  Red  Hook  Point,  upon  the  right  flank  of  the 
Americans,  v/ho  combatted  agamst  General  Grant.  This, 
also,  v/as  a  diversion,  the  object  of  which  was  to  prevent 
them  from  attending  to  what  passed  in  the  centre  and  on  the 
left.  The  Americans,  hov/ever,  dt^fended  themselves  with 
great  bravery,  ignorant,  as  they  were,  that  so  much  valour 
was  exerted  in  vain,  as  the  vinory  was  already  in  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  General  Clinton  having  descended 
into  the  plain,  fell  upon  the  left  flank  of  the  centre,  which 
was  engaged  with  the  Hessians.  Pie  had  also  previous- 
ly detached  a  small  corps  in  order  to  intercept  the  Ameri- 
cans. 

As  soon  as  the  appearance  of  the  English  light  infantry 
apprized  the  Americans  of  their  danger,  they  sounded  the 
retreat,  and  retired  in  good  order  towards  tljeir  camp, 
bringing  off  their  artillery.  But  they  fell  in  with  a  party  of 
royal  troops  which  had  occupied  the  ground  in  their  rear, 
who  charged  them  with  fury :  and  they  were  compelled  to 
throw  themselves  into  the  neighbouring  woods,  where  they 
again  met  with  the  Hessians,  who  repulsed  theni  back  upon 
the  English;  thus  the  Americans  were  driven  several  times 
against  one  or  the  other  Vvith  great  loss.  They  continued 
for  some  tim.e  in  this  desperate  situation,  till  at  length  se- 
veral regiments,  animated  by  an  heroic  valour,  forced  their 
way  through  the  midst  of  the  enemy,  and  gained  the  camp 
of  General  Putnam  ;  others  escaped  through  the  woods. 
The  inequality  of  the  ground,  the  great  number  of  posi- 


14 


158  CITY  OF  BROOKLYN, 


tions  which  it  offered,  and  the  disorder  that  prevailed 
throughout  the  line,  were  the  cause  for  many  hours  of  seve- 
ral partial  combats  taking  place,  in  which  numbers  of  the 
Americans  fell. 

Their  left  wing  and  centre  being  discomfited,  the  Eng- 
lish, desirous  of  having  a  complete  victory,  made  a  rapid 
movement  against  the  rear  of  the  right  wing,  which  being 
ignorant  of  the  misfortune  that  had  befallen  the  other  corps, 
was  engaged  with  Gen.  Grant.  Finally,  having  received 
the  intelligence,  they  retired  from  so  unequal  a  contest. 
But,  again  encountering  the  English,  who  had  cut  off  their 
retreat,  part  of  them  took  shelter  in  the  woods,  others 
endeavoured  to  make  their  way  through  the  marshes  of 
Gowanus's  cove,  but  many  were  drowned  in  the  waters 
or  perished  in  the  mud  ;  a  very  small  number  only 
escaped  the  hot  pursuit  of  the  victors,  and  reached  the 
camp  in  safety. 

The  total  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  battle  was  esti- 
mated at  more  than  three  thousand  men,  in  killed,  wounded 
and  prisoners.  Among  the  latter  was  General  Sullivan  and 
Brigadier  General  Lord  Stirling.  Almost  the  entire  regi- 
ment of  Maryland,  consisting  of  young  men  of  the  best 
families  in  that  province,  was  cut  to  pieces.  Six  pieces  of 
cannon  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  victors.  The  loss  of  the 
English  was  very  inconsiderable;  it  did  not  amount  to  four 
hundred  men,  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners. 

The  enemy  encamped  in  front  of  the  American  lines; 
and  on  the  succeeding  night  broke  ground  within  six  hun- 
dred yards  of  a  redoubt  on  the  left,  and  having  thrown  up 
a  breastwork  on  the  Wallabout  heights,  upon  the  Debe- 
voice  farm,  commenced  firing  on  Fort  Putnam,  and  recon- 
noitred the  American  forces. 

The  Americans  were  here  prepared  to  receive  them  ;  and 
orders  were  issued  to  the  men  to  reserve  their  fire  till  they 
could  see  the  eyes  of  the  enemy.  A  few  of  the  British 
officers  reconnoitred  the  position;  and  one,  on  coming  too 
near,  was  sliot  by  William  Van  Cotts,  of  Bush  wick.  The 
same  afternoon,  Captain  Rutgers,  brother  of  the  late  Col. 
Rutgers,  also  fell.  Several  other  British  troops  were  killed, 
and  the  column  which  had  incautiously  advanced,  fell  back 
beyond  the  range  of  the  American  fire. 


BATTLE  OF  LONG  ISLAND.  159 


In  this  critical  state  of  the  American  army  on  Long 
Island,  having  a  numerous  and  victorious  enemy  in  front, 
with  a  formidable  train  of  artillery,  the  fleet  indicating  an 
intention  of  forcing  a  passage  up  the  East  river,  the  troops 
lying  without  shelter  from  heavy  rains,  fatigued  and  dis- 
pirited, General  Washington  determined  to  withdraw  the 
army  from  the  island;  and  this  difficult  movement  was 
effected,  not  only  with  great  skill  and  judgment,  but  with 
complete  success.  The  retreat  was  to  have  commenced  at 
eight  o'clock  in  the  evening  of  the  29th,  but  a  strong  north- 
east wind  and  a  rapid  tide  caused  a  delay  of  several  hours; 
a  southwest  wind,  however,  springing  up  at  eleven  o'clock, 
greatly  facilitated  the  passage  of  the  army  from  the  island 
to  New- York  city  ;  and  a  thick  fog  hanging  over  Long 
Island  towards  morning,  covered  its  movements  from  the 
enemy,  who  were  so  near,  that  the  sound  of  their  pick- 
axes and  shovels  were  distinctly  heard  by  the  Americans. 
General  Washington,  as  far  as  it  was  possible,  inspected 
every  thing  himself,  from  the  commencement  of  the  action 
on  the  miorning  of  the  ^Tth,  till  all  the  troops  had  crossed 
the  river  in  safety;  he  never  closed  his  eyes,  and  was 
almost  constantly  on  horseback.  After  the  American  army 
had  evacuated  Long  Island,  and  the  British  troops  and 
their  allies,  the  tories  and  refugees,  had  taken  possession 
of  it,  many  distressing  occurrences  and  heart-rending 
scenes  of  persecution  took  place.  Those  whigs  who  had 
been  at  all  active  in  -hehalf  of  the  cause  of  independence, 
were  exiled  from  their  homes,  and  their  dwellings  subjected 
to  indiscriminate  plunder.  Such  as  could  be  taken,  were 
incarcerated  in  the  churches  of  New-Utrecht  and  Flat- 
lands;  while  royalists,  wearing  a  red  badge  in  their  hats, 
were  encouraged  and  protected.  It  is  believed  that  had 
Lord  Howe  availed  himself  of  the  advantage  he  possessed, 
by  passing  his  ships  up  the  river  between  Nev/-York  and 
Brooklyn,  he  would  have  cut  off  their  retreat,  and  the 
whole  of  the  American  army  must  have  been  captured. 
Washin2;ton  saw  this,  and  wisely  abandoned  the  island. 
The  unfortunate  issue  of  the  battle  was  altogether  owing 
to  the  misconduct  of  Col.  Miles  and  the  unfortunate  igno- 
rance of  Gen.  Putnam,  who  had  just  taken  the  command. 


160 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


Gen.  Greene  being  sick,  Putnam  could  give  no  order  about 
the  lines  and  positions,  for  he  had  not  hfid  time  to  under- 
stand them. 

NAVY  YARD. 

This  naval  depot  is  situated  on  the  south  side  of  the 
Wallabout  Bay,  in  the  northeastern  part  of  the  city,  and 
is  well  worthy  the  notice  of  strangers  visiting  Brooklyn. 
The  government  possess  about  forty  acres  of  land,  inclu- 
ding the  site  of  the  old  mill-pond.  There  is  a  spacious 
yard,  public  store  houses,  machine  shops,  and  two  immense 
ediiices.  built  of  wood,  in  whjch  ships  of  war  of  the  largest 
class  are  protected  from  the  weather  while  they  are  build- 
ing. On  the  opposite  side  of  the  bay  the  "  Naval  Hos- 
pUal,^^  which  is  a  splendid  and  magnificent  building,  has 
been  lately  erected,  and  the  site  on  which  it  is  built  is  very 
beautiful  and  picturesque. 

"  United  States  Nacal  Lyceum^^^  is  also  in  the  Navy 
Yard.  This  institution  v/as  organized  by  the  officers  of 
the  Navy  and  Marine  Corps,  in  order  to  promote  the  dif- 
fusion of  useful  knowledge,  and  to  foster  a  spirit  of  har- 
mony, and  a  community  of  interest  in  the  service. 

It  contains  a  splendid  collection  of  curiosities  and  sci- 
entific specimens.  Its  minerological  and  geological  cabi- 
nets are  not  surpassed  by  any  in  New-York.  A  fine  col- 
lection of  Egyptian  antiquities  may  be  found  here.  The 
walls  of  the  room  are  adorned  by  collections  of  fine  paint- 
ings. Trophies  of  war,  rare  and  curioivs  weapons  of  war, 
and  an  extensive  library,  are  among  the-objects  of  interest 
here  collected.  The  whole  forms  a  very  interesting  place 
of  resort. 

Ships  of  war  of  all  classes  are  always  stationed  at  this 
yard,  either  undergoing  repairs,  being  built,  or  laying  up 
in  ordinary.  Several  vessels  of  a  large  class  are  now,  and 
have  been  for  many  years,  on  ihs  stocks.  Immense  stores 
of  lumber,  cannon,  ammunition,  and  other  naval  stores,  are 
here  in  preparation  for  any  emergency. 

LON(S  ISLAND  RAIL-ROAD. 

The  length  of  the  road,  from  Brooklyn  to  Greenport,  is 
96  miles. 


LONG  ISLAND  RAILROAD  TUNNEL. 


lit 


jBRCOKLy::^  lyceum. 


161 


The  rail  used  in  the  construction  is  what  is  known  as 
the  heavy  H  rail,  and  weighs  56  pounds  per  lineal  yard. 

Tiie  whole  cost  of  construction  of  the  rail-road,  including 
the  tunnel,  was  SI, 746^000. 

The  tunnel  under  Atlantic-street  is  2,750  feet  long,  and 
cost  S96,000. 

The  termination  of  the  Long  Island  Rail -Road  is  at  the 
South  Ferry,  in  Brooklyn,  through  Atlantic-street.  The 
land  being  somewhat  elevated,  it  became  necessary  either 
to  cut  down  the  street,  or  construct  a  tunnel.  This  last 
was  done.  The  depth  at  the  highest  part  of  the  street  is 
about  30  feet. 

A  line  of  cars  start  from  this  place  to  Boston  daily,  and 
accommodation  trains  for  the  intermediate  places  on  the 
island,  at  several  times  in  the  day. 

Distance  Fare 
Names  of  Places.  from  from 

Brooklyn.  Brooklyn. 

Bedford,  2^  M.  12^ 

East  New- York,   5     "  12^ 

Union  Course,   7|   "  18| 

Jamaica,   11  25 

Brushville,.   14     "  37^ 

Hempstead  Branch,   18    "  43| 

Carl  Place,   20  43f 

Hicksville,   26    "  56^- 

Farmingdale,   31     "  68| 

Deerpark,   37  Slh 

Suffolk  Station,   44  1  12^ 

Medford  Station,   55  1  50 

St.  George's  Manor,   67  175 

Riverhead,   74  2  00 

Mattetuck,   84    "  2  00 

Southold,   91  2  m 

Greenport,   95  2  25 

BROOKLYN  LYCEUM. 

One  of  the  principal  public  buildings  in  the  city  is  the 
"  Lyceum,^^  which  is  a  fine  specimen  of  architecture,  built  of 
granite,  and  every  way  adapted  to  the  purpose  of  its  pro- 
jection.   It  is  situated  in  Washington-street,  near  Concord. 


14* 


162 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


The  institution  was  organized  in  October,  1833.  The 
"  City  Libranf^  has  been  lately  established  here,  which 
contains  a  great  number  of  valuable  literary  works,  and  is 
highly  deserving  of  the  general  patronage  and  support  of 
the  citizens. 

THE  SAYINGS  BANK 

Is  also  located  in  the  Lyceum  building ;  an  excellent  insti- 
tution, managed  by  careful  men,  and  in  a  prosperous  con- 
dition. 

GREENWOOD  CEMETERY. 

This  rural  depository  for  the  dead  attracts  much  attention 
at  the  present  time,  and  therefore  claims  somewhat  of  an 
extended  notice. 

These  grounds  comprise  about  185  acres,  and  are  more 
extensive  than  the  grounds  of  any  similar  institution  in 
this  country.  They  are  situated  in  Brooklyn,  at  Gowa- 
nus,  on  a  high  ridge  of  hills,  commanding  beautiful  and 
extensive  views  of  the  bay  and  cities  of  New-York  and 
Brooklyn,  the  Narrows,  Jersey  shore,  and  the  Atlantic 
Ocean ;  and  are  distant  from  the  South  Ferry,  at  Brooklyn, 
two  and  a  half  miles. 

Persons  wislnng  to  visit  the  Cemetery  can  take  the  stages 
which  leave  the  Fulton  Ferry,  in  Brooklyn,  every  hour 
during  the  day,  and  return  by  the  same  as  often. — Fare 
12^  cts. 

The  charter  authorizes  the  land  belonging  to  the  corpora- 
tion to  be  used  exclusively  for  the  burial  of  the  dead;  ex- 
empts the  lands  for  ever  from  asscssnient  and  public  taxes, 
and  requires  that  the  proceeds  of  all  sales  shall  be  applied 
to  the  improvement  of  the  Cemetery.  It  also  authorizes 
every  proprietor  of  300  square  feet  or  more  of  land,  to  vote 
at  any  election  of  Trustees.  Persons  buying  lots  acquire 
the  fee  simple  of  the  ground  which  they  purchase.  They 
control  the  goverrunent  of  the  institution,  and,  by  legis- 
lative acts,  can  never  be  forcibly  deprived  of  the  ground. 
The  price  of  an  ordinary  burial  jot  is  one  hundred  dollars. 
Four  lots  in  a  group  may  be  bought  for  eighty  dollars 
each. 

The  beautiful  grounds  of  Greenwood  have  already  be- 
come the  scene  of  much  resort.    They  will  be  visited  by  in- 


shields'  monument. 
Greenwood. 


GREENWOOD  CEMETERY. 


163 


creasing  numbers,  as  they  become  more  known,  and  espe- 
cially as  the  circle  widens  which  connects  by  ties  of  mourn- 
ful interest  its  silent  occupants  with  the  living  multitudes  in 
the  adjacent  cities.  To  such  they  should  present  all  that 
becomes  a  Christian  Cemetery,  situated  in  a  wealthy  neigh- 
bourhood, and  commenced  in  an  age  of  refinement  and  of 
art.  In  the  variety  and  beauty  of  these  grounds — so  open 
and  sunny  in  some  parts — so  shaded  and  secluded  in  others 
— so  near  to  a  vast  city,  yet  so  retired  and  still — nature  has 
left  us  nothing  to  desire.  Art  has  but  just  commenced  its 
great  work  of  improvement  here.  The  work  has  been  well 
begun.  Several  of  the  monuments  and  tombs  are  strictly 
original,  and  if  not  perfect,  are  pioneers  to  a  better  taste. 
From  the  happy  and  fertile  inventions  which  produce  these, 
as  well  as  from  other  kindred  sources,  it  is  hoped  we  shall 
obtain  many  more  of  equal  if  not  superior  merit.  The  gate 
of  the  Cemetery  is  constructed  of  timber,  in  the  rustic  style, 
and  presents  a  very  picturesque  appearance.  There  is 
also  a  chapel,  constructed  in  ■  he  same  style,  with  a  bell, 
which  tolls  during  the  time  of  funerals. 

The  circumference  of  one  lot  is  82  feet,  or  12  by  25 
square.  A  receiving  tomb  is  provided  at  the  Cemetery,  in 
which  interments  may  be  made  by  proprietors  of  lots,  or 
those  intending  to  become  such.  This  tomb  is  situated  in 
Willow  Avenue. 

A  receiving  tomb  is  also  provided  in  Brooklyn,  for  the 
convenience  of  thos""  who  may  wish  the  funeral  procession 
to  terminate  there. 

A  receiving  tomb  is  also  provided  in  New-York,  in  the 
Carmine-street  Cemetery,  where  temporary  interments  may 
be  made,  subject  to  the  charge  of  three  dollars  for  the  use  of 
the  tomb,  and  one  dollar  each  time  for  th3  opening  of  the 
same.  The  key  of  this  tomb  is  in  charge  of  Mr.  John 
Mace,  No.  75  Carmine-street. 

Graves. — Single  graves  may  be  procured  in  grounds  ap- 
propriated for  that  purpose  and  enclosed  by  a  hedge,  at  ten 
dollars  each.  Children's  graves,  under  twelve  years  of  age, 
at  five  dollars  each. 

Rules  cnricerning  Visiters. — Visiters  will  obtain  the  best 
general  view  of  the  Cemetery,  and  reach  the  entrance  again 


164  CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


without  difficulty, by  keeping  the  main  Avenue,  called  The 
Tour,  as  indicated  by  the  guide  boards.  A  little  fa- 
miliarity, however,  with  the  grounds,  will  enable  them  to 
take  the  other  avenues,  many  of  Vv'hich  pass  through 
grounds  of  peculiar  interest  and  beauty. 

Each  proprietor  of  a  lot  will  be  entitled  to  a  ticket  of  ad- 
mission into  the  Cemetery  with  a  vehicle,  under  the  follow- 
ing regulations,  the  violation  of  which,  or  a  loan  of  the 
ticket,  involves  a  forfeiture  of  the  privilege. 

No  vehicle  will  be  admitted  unless  accompanied  by  a  pro- 
prietor, or  a  member  of  his  or  her  household,  or  unless 
presenting  a  special  ticket  of  admission. 

On  Sundays  and  Holidays  the  gates  will  be  closed. 
Proprietors  of  lots,  however,  will  be  admitted  on  foot. 

No  person  or  party  having  refreshments  will  be  permitted 
to  come  within  the  grounds,  nor  will  any  smoking  be  al- 
lowed. 

Children  will  not  be  admitted  without  their  parents  or 
guardians.  Persons  having  dogs  mustleavethem  fastened 
at  tlie  gate. 

No  iior^emay  be  left  by  the  driver  in  the  grounds,  unfas- 
tened. 

All  persons  are  prohibited  from  picking  any  flowers, 
eiUier  wild  or  cultivated^  or  breaking  any  tree,  :ihrub  or 
plant. 

Any  person  disturbing  the  quiet  and  good  order  of  the 
place  by  noise  or  other  improper  conduct,  will  be  compelled 
instantly  to  leave  the  grounds. 

The  gates  will  be  opened  at  sunrise,  and  closed  (for 
entrance)  at  sunset. 

No  money  may  be  paid  to  the  Porter. 

The  Keeper  the  grounds,  appointed  by  the  Mayor  of 
Brooklyn  a  special  Marshal,  Vv^ith  a  view  to  the  preserva- 
tion of  the  grounds,  is  authorized  and  directed  to  remove 
all  who  violate  these  ordinances  or  commit  trespasses. 
Trespassers  are  also  liable  to  criminal  prosecutions  and  a 
fine  of  Fifty  Dollars. 

ATLANTIC  DOCK. 

The  company  who  are  prosecuting  this  extensive  work 
was  incorporated  in  May,  1840,  with  a  capital  cf 


UNION  FERRY  COMPANY. 


I 

165  j 


SI, 000,000.  The  shares  are  one  hundred  dollars  each. 
It  is  situated  on  the  water  front  of  the  Sixth  Ward  of 
Brooklyn,  below  the  South  Ferry,  within  "  Red  Hook 
Point,''  tlieoutside  pier  extending 3,000  feet  on  "  Buttermilk 
Channel."  The  basin  within  the  piers  will  contain  about 
forty-two  acres,  with  a  sufficient  depth  of  water  to  ac- 
commodate the  largest  ships.  On  the  piers  there  are  to  be 
built  large  warehouses,  many  of  which  are  already 
erected.  Some  improvement  of  this  kind  was  needed,  by 
the  crowded  state  of  the  docks  around  New-York  city,  and 
the  difficulty  of  finding  suitable  berths  to  unload  vessels 
with  heavy  cargoes.  When  this  improvement  is  com- 
pleted, it  will  throw  into  the  market  more  than  five  hundred 
valuable  building  lots,  valuable,  especially  for  stores  and 
large  wareliouses,  all  of  which  are  now  below  high  water 
mark,  but  which  must  be  filled  in  when  the  piers  are  built. 
A  new  ferry  is  projected  from  the  north  corner  of  the  basin 
to  the  Battery  in  New- York.  The  whole  work  is  im- 
mense, and  is  well  worthy  the  attention  of  a  stranger. 

BROOKLYN  UNION  FT.RRY  COMPANY. 

The  distance  across  the  South  Ferry,  from  Atlantic- 
street  to  Whitehall,  New. York,  is  1,472  yards. 

The  distance  across  the  Fulton  Ferry,  from  Fulton- 
street,  Brooklyn,  to  Fulton-street,  New-York,  is  731 
yards. 

The  Union  Ferry  Company  own  eight  boats,  six  of 
which  are  kept  run n^V-'g.  The  average  cost  of  each  boat 
is  about  ,iB30,000. 

Three  boats  are  run  on  each  ferry  throughout  the  year. 

The  hours  of  running  at  the  South  Ferry  are  from  4 
A.  M.  to  11  P.  M. 

At  the  Fulton  Ferry  a  boat  is  kept  running  all  the  time, 
with  the  exception  of  one  hour  at  night,  viz.,  from  S  to  3 
o'clock. 

The  price  of  passage  at  both  ferries  is  two  cents  for  foot 
passengers;  small  children  half  price. 

The  ferriage  for  a  carnage  and  two  horses  is  25  cents, 
do.  do.     and  one  horse  is  18|  " 


166 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


1 


The  price  of  commutation  for  males  over  21  is  $10  per 
annum. 

For  males  under  21  is  from  $4  to  $6. 
The  price  of  commutation  for  females,  $5. 
Commuters  have  the  privilege  of  crossing  both  ferries. 
The  whole  number  of  persons  employed  at  both  ferries 
is  about  100. 

The  improvements  at  the  ferry  landings  recently  made 
have  cost  §50,000  ;  the  buildings  at  all  the  four  points  be- 
ing substantial  and  convenient. 

The  commutation  at  the  two  ferries  for  the  year  1845  was 
$.30,000.  By  articles  of  agreement,  the  dividend  to  stock- 
holders is  limxited  to  seven  per  cent,  per  annum  ;  the  sur- 
plus profit  to  be  applied  to  the  improvements  of  the  fer- 
ries and  the  extinguishment  of  the  stock. 

PRIVATE  SCHOOLS. 

Of  these  there  are  many,  both  for  males  and  females,  and 
many  of  them  of  a  high  order.  Without  instituting  any 
invidious  comparisons,  the  stranger  will  feel  richly  com- 
pensated by  visiting  two  of  them,  the  oldest  it  is  believed 
of  the  whole,  viz.  :  Mr-  Putnam's  school  for  boys,  and  Mr. 
Greenleaf 's  school  for  girls.  Mr.  Putnam  has  been  teach- 
ing in  Brooklyn  for  fifteen  years,  with  an  average  of  40 
pupils  a  year.  Some  of  the  boys  have  been  with  him  for 
several  years,  and  he  has  thus  had  the  instruction  of  about 
600  boys.  The  most  thorough  foundation  is  here  laid  for 
a  complete  English  education.  The  school  is  in  Henry- 
street,  corner  of  Love-lane. 

Mr.  Greenleaf 's.  school  has  been  in  operation  ten  years, 
with  an  average  of  10  pupils  a  year,  comprising  in  the 
whole  length  of  time250  individuals.  Here  is  taught  every 
branch  of  solid  study  comprised  in  a  thorough  female  edu- 
cation. At  least  ^20,000  is  here  invested  in  library,  text- 
books, apparatus,  &c.  &c.  This  school  is  located  in 
Pierrepont-street,  corner  of  Clinton-street. 

BROOKLYN  FEMALE  ACADEMY.  j 

Such  is  the  name  of  an  institution  projected,  but  not  yet  | 
in  operation.  A  very  spacious  building  is  in  progress  of  j 
erection  on  Joralemon-street,  near  Clinton. 


PUBLIC  SCHCOLS. 


167 


PUBLIC  SCHOOLS. 

The  public  schools  are  under  the  control  and  management 
of  a  Board  of  Education^  composed  of  three  representa- 
tives from  each  of  the  ten  school  districts,  together  with  the 
county  Superintendent  and  iVIayor  of  the  city,  who  are  ex 
officio  mem  bers. 

The  representatives  are  appointed  by  the  Common  Coun- 
cil, (who  are  the  commissioners  of  common  schools.)  and 
hold  their  ofiice  for  thr^e  years,  and  are  divided  into  three 
classes,  one  class  being  appointed  annually  on  the  first 
Monday  in  February. 

The  Board  of  Education  appoint  from  among  their  own 
body  a  President,  Vice-President  and  Secretary,  (the  city 
Treasurer  being  ex  officio  Treasurer.)  The  present  officers 
are  Theo.  Earnes,  President ;  Stephen  Haynes,  Vice-Presi- 
dent; and  Alfred  G.  Stevens,  Secretary. 

The  number  of  children  comprised  within  the  ten  dis- 
tricts, which  includes  the  whole  city,  between  the  ages  of 
five  and  sixteen,  and  upon  which  is  based  the  apportion- 
ment of  school  money,  is  about  twelve  thousand  while,  and 
four  hundred  coloured.  The  number  which  attends  the 
schools  is  about  tv:o  thousa?id  and  Jive  hundred  ichite^ 
and  one  hundred  and  fifty  coloured. 

The  number  of  teachers  and  monitors  engaged  in  the  va- 
rious schools  is  about  sixty,  and  the  amount  of  compensa- 
tion annually  paid  for  teaching  amounts  to  about  fourteen 
thousand  dollars. 

The  course  of  instruction  embraces  all  the  various 
branches  of  English  eaucation.  Vocal  music  also  forms  a 
prominent  feature  of  instruction,  a  competent  teacher  being 
engaged  expressly  for  that  purpose. 

In  each  district  there  is  a  valuable  library,  free  not  only 
to  the  scholars  but  also  to  every  inhabitant,  male  and  fe- 
male, in  the  district.  The  number  of  volumes  in  some  ex- 
ceeds 2,500. 

The  school  houses  in  the  inner  or  compact  part  of  the 
city  are  handsome  brick  buildings,  three  stories  in  height, 
costing  about  six  thousand  dollars  each,  exclusive  of  the 
ground.  The  others,  in  the  outer  sections,  are  substantial 
frame  buildings. 


168 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


ORPHAN  ASYLUM. 

This  institution  has  been  in  operation  for  about  tweWe 
years.  Sonne  eight  ov  ten  years  ago  a  spacious  brick  cdi- 
-fice  was  erected  near  Myrtle  Avenue.  A  large  number  of 
children  are  here  provided  for.  It  is  patronized  by  all  de- 
nominations. 

CITY  BUILDLVGS. 

The  "  City  Buildings"  are  situated  at  the  corner  of 
Henry  and  Cranberry  streets  ;  there  is  nothing  in  the 
architecture  of  the  exterior  of  them  ^vorihy  of  notice;  they 
are  used  as  courts  and  offices  of  the  corporation  for  the 
transaction  of  the  public  business  of  the  city. 

The  "  King's  Comdy  Courts''^  are  held  in  the  large  build- 
ing called  the  "  Exclw.n^e^'^  situated  at  the  corner  of  Cran- 
berry and  Fulton  streets  ;  it  is  a  plain  brick  building,  with- 
out any  extraordinary  architectural  Leauly. 

The  "  King^s  County  Jail  or  Prison,'^  is  situated  in 
Raymond-street,  at  the  foot  of  Fort  Greene  ;  it  is  a  dark, 
heavy-looking,  castellated  gothic  edifice,  in  front  built  of 
red  sandstone,  with  gothic  windows  at  each  sidp,  and  a 
large  yard  at  the  back  ;  the  site  where  it  is  located  is  not  a 
very  favourable  one  for  the  display  of  its  architectural 
front;  had  it  been  erected  on  the  summit  of  Fc  t  Greene,  it 
would  have  had  a  more  commanding  appearance,  and  have 
been  a  much  more  healthy  location  for  the  prisoners. 


CHURCHIi:^  I!V  BROOKIiTIV. 

There  are  nearly  forty  church  buildings  in  Brooklyn, 
and  some  of  them  elegant  structures.  Our  limits  allow  us 
to  describe  only  c.  few  of  them. 

CHURCH  OF  THE  SAVIOUR, 

(first  unitarian  CONOR FGATIONAL.) 

Pierreponl-street^  corner  of  Monroe  Place. 
This  church  is  built  in  the  perpendicular  gothic  style,  of 
red  sandstone:  the  walls,  which  are  rubble^  from  the  quar- 


UNITARIAN  CHURCH, 
Brooklyn. 


CHURCHES  IN  EROOKLTX. 


169 


ries  at  Nyack,  N.  J.,  and  the  ornamental  portions,  which 
are  finely  hammered,  from  tliose  of  Connecticut.  The  en- 
tire length  of  the  building,  exclusive  of  the  front  towers, 
which  project  eight  feet,  is  eighty  feet;  and  its  width,  ex- 
clusive of  the  buttresses  on  the  corners,  which  project  four 
feet,  is  sixty-five  feet.  The  front  central  towers  are  about 
sixteen  feet  at  the  base,  and  rise  one  hundred  and  eighteen 
feet,  being  terminated  by  pinnacles  fully  enriched.  The 
corner  towers  rise  sixty-five  feet,  terminated  like  the  others. 
The  walls  are  crowned  by  a  battlement  of  hammered 
stone.  The  doors  are  deeply  recessed  ;  the  central  one 
opening  fourteen  feet  high  and  ten  feet  wide,  being  recessed 
four  feet  six  inches.  Above  this  door  are  shields  of  ham- 
mered stone  on  the  wall,  bearing  the  name  of  the  church 
and  the  date  of  its  erection.  Over  these  is  the  front  win- 
dow, twelve  feet  wide  and  twenty-eight  feet  high;  and 
windows  of  less  size,  but  of  like  character  and  proportions, 
are  above  the  side  doors.  Over  the  central  window  is  a 
large  stone  cross  in  basso  reliei'  j  on  the  wall. 

The  approach  to  the  church  is  by  stone  steps,  through 
gothic  gateways  attached  to  a  substantial  paling  of  wrought 
iron.  The  outer  doors,  of  elaborate  tracery,  open  into  the 
vestibule,  ten  feet  in  width,  extending  across  the  entire 
church,  with  stairs  to  the  basement,  and  galleries  at  either 
end.  The  nave  is  seventy-five  feet  long,  opened  through  of 
equal  width,  thirty-five  feet,  to  the  great  window  in  front ; 
and  on  either  side  the  Additional  width  of  thirteen  feet  for 
the  galleries.  The  roof  of  the  nave  is  elegantly  vaulted 
and  groined,  the  extreme  height  being  fifty-seven  feet ;  that 
of  the  galleries  is  of  the  same  style,  the  height  being  thirty 
feet  from  the  floor  of  the  church. 

The  entire  cost  of  the  building,  land,  furniture,  organ 
and  external  items,  may  be  stated  at  about  thirty-six  thou- 
sand dollars. 

The  church  was  consecrated  on  the  24th  of  April,  1844, 
and  the  present  pastor,  the  Rev.  Frederick  A.  Farley,  was 
installed  on  the  following  day. 


15 


170 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


CHRIST'S  CHURCH, 

CTJNTON-STREET. 

Erected  in  1842. 
This  is  a  gothic  building  of  a  reddish  stone,  about  100 
feet  long  and  60  feet  wide.  The  height  of  the  walls  is 
about  36  feet,  and  the  extreme  height  of  the  tower  about 
100  feet.  The  tower  in  front  is  about  24  feet  square,  having 
heavy  buttresses  on  each  corner,  built  to  the  top  of  the 
roof,  and  then  becoming  octagons  to  the  top,  ending  in 
four  large  pinnacles.  The  main  entrance  is  in  the  tower, 
and  smaller  doors  on  each  side  in  the  body  of  the  church. 
There  is  a  large  gothic  window  over  the  main  entrance. 
In  the  tower  is  a  bell  and  clock.  The  body  of  the  house 
is  lighted  by  15  windows,  seven  on  each  side  and  one  in 
the  rear,  with  buttresses  between  them,  running  to  the 
eaves,  a^id  there  terminating  without  pinnacles.  In  the 
rear  of  the  building  is  a  lecture  room  of  one  story,  with 
a  flat  roof,  showing  above  it  the  large  pulpit  window  of 
ground  glass, — all  the  other  windows  being  stained  glass. 
On  the  apex  of  the  roof  in  the  rear  there  is  a  short  stone 
cross.  The  cost  of  the  edifice  was  about  S28,000.  Rev. 
John  S.  Stone,  D.  D.,  is  the  present  minister. 


FIRST  REFORMED  DUTCH  CHURCH, 

JORALEMON-STREET. 

Erected  in  1834. 
This  church  is  built  of  brick,  stuccoed  to  represent  clear 
white  marble.  The  extreme  length  of  the  building  is  111 
feet,  and  its  width  66  feet,  and  was  erected  at  a  cost  of 
about  S26,000.  It  is  a  noble  looking  structure,  and  pre- 
sents probably  one  of  the  best  specimens  of  a  Grecian 
temple  which  can  be  found  in  this  region.  Viewing  the 
building  in  front  we  are  presented  with  a  deep  pediment, 
supported  by  eight  Ionic  massive  fluted  pillars,  standing 


CHUIICHF=S  IN  BROOKLYN. 


171 


on  a  platform  raised  about  four  feet  from  the  ground,  and 
two  similar  pillars  within  these,  and  nearer  to  the  body 
of  the  house.  A  lighter  pediment  projects  in  the  rear  of 
the  building,  supported  also  by  one  rov/  of  pillars.  The 
house  is  lighted  on  the  sides  only  with  eight  long  windows, 
four  on  a  side,  with  square  heads.  The  building  is  unor- 
namented,  exhibiting  a  plain  grandeur,  well  becoming  the 
purpose  for  which  it  was  erected.  The  interior  is  also 
plain.  Instead  of  a  close  pulpit  there  is  a  table  or  reading 
desk,  on  a  raised  platform,  with  a  sofa  seat.  In  the  rear 
of  this  is  a  fine  perspective,  representing  a  recess,  with  a 
profusion  of  pillars.  It  is  well  executed,  and  the  illusion 
very  perfect.  Rev.  M.  W.  Dwight,  D.  D,,  is  the  present 
j  pastor  of  the  church. 


SECCriD  PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH, 

FULTON-STREST,  COIiNER  OP  CLINTON. 

Erected  in  1834. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  and  most  commodious  church 
edifices  in  Brooklyn.  It  is  built  of  brick  and  stuccoed,  and 
after  the  Grecian  model,  with  six  heavy  Doric  pillars  sup- 
porting the  pediment,  standing  on  a  platform  raised  six 
steps  from  the  sidew.alk.  The  front  presents  three  large 
uniform  doors.  In  e?.ch  side  of  the  building  there  are 
six  tall  windows  v/ith  square  tops,  having  ilat  pilasters 
between  them.  On  the  roof,  back  of  the  pediment,  there  is 
built  a  wooden  turret  about  forty  feet  high,  divided  into 
three  sections ;  the  first  being  square,  the  second  an  octa- 
gon, and  the  third  round;  the  upper  section  having  several 
windows.  This  turret  is  not  in  very  good  keeping  with 
the  building,  as  an  imitation  of  a  Grecian  temple,  though 
the  effect  is  not  bad  on  the  whole.  The  steeple  contains  a 
fine  toned  bell,  altogether  the  best  in  the  city.  The  interior 
of  the  house  is  plain.  It  contains  about  one  hundred  and 
forty  pews  on  the  lower  floor,  and  has  a  deep  gallery  on 
three  sides.  The  cost  of  the  building  was  about  ^24,000. 
Rev.  Ichabod  S.  Spencer,  D.  D.,  is  the  present  minister. 


172 


CITY  OF  BROOKLYN. 


CHURCH  OF  THE  PILGRIMS, 

HENRY-STREET,  CORNER  OF  REMSEN-STREET. 

Erected  in  1845. 

The  Church  of  the  Pilgrims  is  a  congregational  body, 
formed  after  the  pattern  of  the  churches  in  New-England. 
The  church  edifice  is  a  very  singular  one,  and  altogether 
different  from  any  other  in  this  region.  It  is  a  very  large 
building,  being  in  extreme  length  135  feet,  and  its  breadth 
80  feet.  The  height  of  the  walls  is  38  feet.  It  is  built  of 
granite,  hewn,  but  not  hammered.  The  front  of  the 
edifice,  on  Henry-street,  presents  us  with  two  towers,  one 
at  each  corner;  that  on  the  north  corner  being  small,  not 
over  twelve  feet  square,  and  being  built  to  about  the  height 
of  the  roof  of  the  church,  and  there  terminating  in  a  small 
pointed  wooden  roof.  The  tower  on  the  west  corner  is 
20  feet  square,  and  built  up  of  stone  100  feet  from  the 
ground,  and  thence  there  ascends  a  gradually  tapering 
spire  70  feet  farther,  where  it  terminates  in  a  large  gilded 
ball.  There  is  one  large  door  in  front,  between  the 
towers,  having  over  it  a  large  window;  and  a  profusion  of 
small,  narrow  windows  are  scattered  about  in  tH  towers. 
In  the  centre  of  the  main  tower,  about  six  feet  from  the 
ground,  a  piece  of  the  ''forefather's  rock,"  from  Plymouth, 
Mass.,  is  inserted  in  the  wall,  and  projecting  clearly  in 
view.  In  each  side  of  the  house  there  are  three  large 
arched  windows,  that  being  the  style  in  which  all  the 
windows  are  made.  The  lecture  room  is  cut  off  from  the 
rear  of  the  building,  and  is  a  very  large  and  commodious 
room.  The  rear  of  the  building  presents  four  short  windows 
below,  and  one  large  one  above,  and  a  small  circular  win- 
dow in  the  gable,  near  the  apex.  The  cost  of  the  building 
is  about  ^50,000.    There  is  as  yet  no  stated  pastor. 


CHURCHES  IN  BROORLYX. 


o 
o 


O 

W 
o 

fa 
o 

H 


^^^^^^^ 


1 


CHURCHES  IX  BROOKLYN. 


-3 


c:  c  o  o 


la' 


=2  ?  S 


O  O  O  00 


80  O     O  i-'i'  O  o  tr;  O  Tti  — 
si;      O  CM      CM  (N 


CO     —  o  c-rua  L^Trr"  — ;  >-'■.  t 


,  .  s  ui    ^  :i 

:y3  o  fcf:  _, 


88^ 


to  o  o 

CO  -O 


^  jit. 2^ 

^      3  ?  ^     •£  .-i  "  Chi 
-  i§  S  s  ^  '5  f  r  ^  ^ 
1^  Ci!  C  C  p.  S  ^  <  <  S 


2 


CHURCHES  IIS'  BROOKLYN. 


NOTICE. 


The  Publishers  of  this  little  volume  have  in  preparation 
a  History  of  the  Churches  of  New. York,  accompanied  by- 
engravings,  which  will  render  the  work  highly  interesting 
to  citizens  and  strangers,  and  particularly  to  members  of 
the  churches. 

The  volume  will  contain  about  two  hundred  pages,  uni- 
form in  size  and  appearance  with  the  "  Picture  of  New- 
York  ;"  and  will  furnish  particulars  from  authentic  sources 
of  every  church  in  this  city,  prepared  by  the  writer  of  the 
short  notices  of  the  churches  contained  in  this  volume. 

Engravings  will  be  given  from  original  designs  of  the 
following  buildings,  viz.,  First  Presbyterian  Church, Christ's 
Church,  Second^Unitarian  Church,  and  various  others  of 
the  Presbyterian,  Catholic,  Episcopal  and  other  societies. 

The  Publishers  will  be  glad  to  receive,  until  the  1st  of 
March,  communications  in  reference  to  the  date  of  erection, 
dimensions,  cost  and  construction  of  the  churches  through- 
out the  city.  The  tabular  list  of  the  churches  i".  this  vol- 
ume will  be  found  curious  and  valuable  by  those  who  take 
much  interest  in  the  subject.  The  facts  have  been  ascer- 
tained by  diligent  inquiry  and  personal  application  or  ex- 
amination by  the  compiler. 


GYMNASIUM. 

No.  29  Ann-street,  New-York, 
WILLIAM  FULLER  respectfully  informs  thegentle- 
men  of  New-York  and  vicinity,  that  his  Gymnasium  is  now 
open  for  the  reception  of  pupils.  W.  F.  respectfully  calls 
the  attention  of  the  faculty,  parents  and  guardians,  towards 
this  estabhshment,  which  he  assures  will  be  conducted  in 
the  strictest  manner.    Sparring  taught  as  usual. 

W.  F.  has  made  arrangements  with  Mr.  Hamilton, 
teacher  A  the  American  and  French  Broad  Sword,  also  the 
Small  Sword  and  Musket  exercise.    Terms  moderate. 


J 


